Encourage the Men in Your Life this Men’s Health Month

6/1/2015

Celebrated every June, Men’s Health Month promotes awareness, prevention and education of preventable health problems and encourages early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 1920, life expectancy for women was one year longer than men. By 2010, however, men were dying approximately 5 years sooner than women. In the U.S., men have a higher death rate for most of the leading causes of death, specifically, heart disease and cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for HealthStatistics report that men are at a greater risk of death in every age group and while there is no definitive cause, there are several suggested explanations:

• A higher percentage of men have no healthcare coverage
• Men make half as many preventive care visits as women
• Men are more likely to be employed in dangerous occupations
• Society discourages healthy behaviors in men and boys
• Research on male-specific diseases is underfunded
• Men may have less healthy lifestyles including risk-taking at younger ages

This month, everyone is encouraged to participate in activities promoting men’s health awareness and education. From health care providers to policy makers, each of us can take an opportunity to encourage the men in our lives to get regular medical care and get treatment for disease and injury.

Visit the Preventive Services web page, for more information about TRICARE’s preventive health services.