Newsgram

June is Men's Health Month, and Men's Health Week, a special awareness period recognized by Congress, is the week ending on Father's Day (June 15-21 in 2020).

Men's Health Month began in 1994 with the Congressional passage of Men's Health Week at the request of Men's Health Network. Men's Health Week was signed by President Clinton, and became Public Law 103-264 on May 31, 1994.

Men's Health Month is a time for the public to recognize the mental and physical health needs of men and boys while encouraging fathers to be role models for their children. Thousands of organizations across the country and around the globe participate in Men's Health Month activities, promoting the health and wellness of men, boys, and their families.

With the growing epidemic of suicide and substance abuse, Men's Health Network is making a special effort this year to raise awareness of unrecognized and undiagnosed depression and mental stress in boys and men.

Here are a few things family members can do to help the men in their lives all year:

• Encourage him to get a physical. Most of the factors that contribute to men's shorter, less healthy lives are preventable. And that prevention starts with seeing a healthcare provider on a regular basis. Establishing baselines for factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and PSA (a screening test for prostate cancer risk) -- and monitoring how they change over time -- will enable the provider to catch potentially dangerous conditions early, when they're still treatable.
• Encourage to get physical. The benefits of physical activity on health outcomes are extensive, but many people find it difficult to get motivated for physical activity on their own. One simple solution is to make a routine out of regular walks with him.
• Let him know you care. One reason men disregard their own health is that they're too busy taking care of everyone else. What they don't realize, however, is that if they die early, they will be hurting the very people they've worked so hard to protect. So remind him that you and your family members love him and need him to be alive and healthy for as long as possible.
• Wear blue on Friday, June 19, 2020. Wear BLUE Day is celebrated every year on the Friday of Men's Health Week. It was created to raise awayness about the importance of male health and to encourage men to live longer and healthier lives, and give women an opportunity to encourage them to do so.

Take advantage of this opportunity to pursue preventative health practices and early detection efforts.

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