I’ve been thinking often about men’s health this month. For one thing, June 15 was Father’s Day, as every other commercial seemed to remind me as the holiday approached. Even though I’ve yet to see a Hallmark card for it, June is also Men’s Health Month. Maybe the underlying message in all the cards and calls we men got on Father’s Day from the women and children in our lives is that we are loved, and they want us to love and take better care of ourselves! By the way, maybe just the vanity of the revealing summer and beach clothes will be enough to push us into the healthy habits space. Whatever it takes: make today YOUR day for health.
I am pleased that, despite growing older, my passion for exercise, healthy eating and for life is as strong as it’s ever been! A few years ago, I wrote a book called the Doctor in the Mirror, which shares my belief that how you live is how you feel – and of course, how you live includes what you eat and how often you get moving. Want to feel better: do better. It’s as simple as that, and, you can start right now!
Men’s Health Month reminds us that some of the health challenges we face as a country are more common in men than women; more men smoke and have diabetes. Every state’s profile on the America’s Health Rankings® website includes a section on disparities, so you can look at your state’s health challenges for men. You can also check out disparities in your state by age, education level, race/ethnicity and more. Our goal is to encourage you to get with your friends and civic associations to work together and help each other to live healthier lives.
At America’s Health Rankings, we believe a healthy society is one where all our citizens are healthy. We join other public health advocates in working hard to call attention to disparities. For example, I was heartened to see that the American Public Health Association is doing a series of blog posts on men’s health topics this month, such as this one, “Prevention for boys and men of color” that focuses on increasing awareness about the need for prevention and planning in one’s life around health and wellness.
And to all our female readers: June provides a great opportunity to keep encouraging and supporting the men in your life to live healthier lives. Let’s all work together for health this month, and every month!