Men’s Health Month is focused on raising awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die five years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading cause which include the following:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Unintentional injuries
Lifestyle factors are important
Consuming a healthy diet and getting exercise are two of the most important actions for healthy living.
Your diet can help fight disease and keep you feeling younger. For energy and disease prevention, men should eat whole grains such as whole-grain bread, pasta, cereal, brown rice, oats, barley, beans, lentils, fruits, and vegetables.
Five of the many-varied benefits of healthy eating include
- Getting to (and staying at) a healthy weight
- Having better long-term mental health and mood
- Having (and maintaining) stronger bones and teeth
- Having improved brain function, including better focus and memory
- Reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases
Considered one of the healthiest eating patterns in the world for many years, the Mediterranean diet is abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats. It features fish and poultry — lean protein sources — over red meat and wine are consumed regularly but in moderate amounts.
Physical activity can improve health. People who are physically active tend to live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers.
All adults should be active for at least 2½ hours a week. There are a lot of ways to get the physical activity you need. A health education specialist or other qualified health professional (such as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist) can help develop and implement strategies to improve health.
Walking is a great way to get the physical activity needed to obtain health benefits. Walking does not require any special skills. It also does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment.
Some of the many benefits of walking include:
- Reduces cardiovascular disease. Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity can lower risk for these diseases.
- Reduces risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Research shows that lower rates of these conditions are seen with 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of at least moderate-intensity aerobic activity. The more physical activity you do, the lower your risk.
- Reduced risk for some cancers. Research shows that physically active people have a lower risk of colon cancer than do people who are not.
- Walking improves quality of life. Research shows that regular physical activity improves physical fitness.
- Regular physical activity helps improve overall health and fitness, and reduces the risk for many chronic diseases.
A word on advocacy, awareness and action
Celebrated each year during June, Men’s Health Month brings awareness to the health issues all men face. The month is dedicated to enriching men’s health and wellness through a broad spectrum of national screening and educational campaigns.
This year’s 2025 Men’s Health Month theme is centered on closing the Empathy Gap in men’s health through advocacy, awareness, and action.
The Empathy Gap refers to the lack of care, funding, and support for men’s issues, including health, education, and emotional well-being. Men’s challenges are often overlooked, leading to fewer resources, delayed care, and limited awareness.
While awareness and funding efforts have successfully addressed numerous health challenges over the years, men’s health issues receive significantly less attention, despite statistics demonstrating clear concern.
Men die 6 years earlier than women due to preventable health issues. Prostate cancer & testicular cancer receive far less attention. Suicide rates among men are significantly higher, yet mental health initiatives often fail to acknowledge interventions that resonate with men.
Thanks to menshealthmonth.org and the Society for Public Health Education for much of the content presented here.
A final request
Please seek out valid information resources to become aware of the importance of men’s health, become an advocate for others and act to improve your own individual health and that of your family and friends.
Additional Information
A good resource guide on the Mediterranean Diet is available by accessing this Mayo Clinic link at mayoclinic.org.
Check out this resource on heath screening from the Mayo Clinic, Men’s health: Checkups, screenings key at:mayoclinichealthsystem.org.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.
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