Men, Take Charge of Your Health!
Department of Health Celebrates National Men's Health Month
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In observance of National Men's Health Month, Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy is reminding men to take charge of their health and make their health care needs a priority. Men's Health Month is an initiative to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
"Men need to become more aware of their health and their health care needs," said Secretary Murphy. "On average, men die five years earlier than women and yet, many of the health risks they encounter are preventable and treatable if diagnosed early through testing and screening."
According to research by the National Men's Health Network, men have higher rates of heart disease, cancer, stroke, injuries, and suicide. Men are also less likely to adopt healthy behaviors, such as healthy eating habits, and they are often hesitant to seek help for physical or psychological problems, or participate in screening programs.
Screening tests can find diseases early, which is important because it makes treatment easier and there's a greater chance of a full recovery. Some common screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
Secretary Murphy encourages men to schedule their annual medical checkup and preventive screenings, and to commit to a healthier lifestyle today by taking the following steps:
- Eating healthy
- Getting active
- Avoiding unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Reducing stress
- Getting enough sleep
- Getting vaccinated
For more information about men's health, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov, click on the My Health tab, Men's Health section.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Worden, DOH, 717-787-1783
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health
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