Men’s Health Focus, Part One: Physical Health

So, guys, how’s it going?

It’s a good question. June is Men’s Health Month and we all should be concerned about men’s health. The life expectancy of men in the United States is nearly six years shorter than that of women, according to research published last year in JAMA Internal Medicine. Compared to women, men are more likely to:

• Smoke
• Drink too much alcohol
• Make unhealthy or risky choices
• Put off regular checkups and medical care

In Part 1 of this two-part salute to men’s health, we’ll take a closer look at how guys can safeguard their overall physical wellness. Next week, we’ll address the very real issues around men and mental health.

Here we go. The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus advises all men at every age to:

Get a PCP

Choose a primary care provider and go regularly to stay up to date on the latest health advice, vaccinations, and screenings.

Check those teeth

See your dentist for regular cleanings and to keep up with your dental health.

Get tested

Get screening tests based on your age and family history. Ask relatives about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases that might play a role in your own health and report this information to your primary care provider.

Get updated

Stay up to date on vaccines. Get your annual flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine and stay on schedule for other vaccines, such as tetanus-diphtheria (Tdap) and hepatitis B. Ask about an HPV vaccine if you did not receive one as an adolescent.

Eat well

Eat healthy with a daily mix of mostly fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, and whole grains. Limit red meat, alcohol, processed foods, and added sugars and salt.

Get moving

Get and stay active. Healthy men need moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. Strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week.

With that general advice in mind, here’s a decade-by-decade guideline for men’s health:

In your 20s and 30s

You’re young, pretty healthy, and feeling invincible, right? But you should still see a health care provider to help screen for any medical issues and assess your risk for future medical problems.

• Adjust your diet now for adulthood. As we age, junk food and unhealthy drinking habits—everything from sugary sports drinks to soda and alcohol—rapidly take a toll on our bodies and lead to weight gain and health problems.
• If you choose to drink, do so in moderation —two drinks or less in a day for men. And remember that drinking less is always better.
• Get in the habit of complete self-exams of your testicles, skin, mouth, and breasts to catch cancer early. Report any changes or lumps to your doctor.
• Depending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and other infections.
• Starting at age 30, have an electrocardiogram or EKG.
• Have a blood pressure screening at least every two years.
• By age 35, have a complete routine lab work checking for high cholesterol, heart health, diabetes, kidney, or thyroid problems.

In your 40s

Keep up with all the health advice outlined above for men in their 20s and 30s—your healthcare provider can help you determine what’s appropriate for you.

• Starting at age 45, get screened for colorectal cancer. Screening is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early.
• Starting at age 45, men at higher-than-average risk of prostate cancer should talk with a doctor about testing, according to the American Cancer Society. This includes Black men and men with close family members (father, brother, son) who had prostate cancer before age 65.
• Men with more than one close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 are at even higher risk and should talk with a doctor about testing starting at age 40.

In your 50s, 60s and beyond

Keep up with all the health advice outlined above, plus:

• At or after age 50, get your shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine
• If you are 55 to 80 years old and are a heavy smoker or a past smoker who quit within the last 15 years, ask your doctor about a low-dose CT scan every year
• Adults ages 76 to 85 should talk to their doctor about colorectal screening

At every stage of life, June is the perfect time to become more mindful of men’s health for all the boys and men we love. Encourage all the guys around you to make prevention a priority, eat healthy, and keep moving.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our mini-series on Men’s Health coming next week!