June is Men’s Health Month, and there are lots of ways for males to monitor and prevent a negative well-being. 

According to Community Health Educator Natalie Peters, heart disease is the leading cause of death in men. She points out that men are more at-risk for suicide, especially because they aren’t always receptive to mental health treatment. Lastly, Peters explains that prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers are the main three that men are likely to be diagnosed with. She notes that eating healthy and well-balanced meals, exercising, and prioritizing about seven to nine hours of sleep is crucial for a healthy life-style, but seeing a physician regularly can be beneficial.

“Definitely going for your annual checkups with your primary care provider is very important, so you can address concerns and your doctor can catch any issues early on. There’s also several screenings that men should have done regularly including annual skin checks with a dermatologist, colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45, and then prostate cancer screenings starting at age 50.”

Peters indicates that studies show that men in the United States are projected to live about six years less than women, with contributing factors being biology, different behaviors, as well as social norms. Anyone with questions can contact the Dallas County Health Department at (515)-993-3750.