We are already two weeks into Men’s Health Month 2023, but there is still plenty of time to get involved. In fact, this week kicks off Men’s Health Week in the United States. Read on for more about the history behind Men’s Health Month and discover ways to get involved this week and beyond.

 

Why Men’s Health Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of the leading causes of death in men stem from complications with internal organs. Of these, a quarter of male deaths are related to heart disease.

Men’s Health Month is an initiative launched by the U.S. Congress in 1994 to help raise awareness of these health outcomes and encourages men of all ages to take the initiative to visit their doctors and lead healthy lifestyles.

Related: Want to make an impact in men’s health? These are the specialties worth studying.

How to Get Involved

Visit Your Doctor

Perhaps the most important way to get involved with Men’s Health Week and Month, especially if you identify as a man, is to schedule a checkup with your family doctor. If you do not have a family doctor, use Men’s Health Month as the inspiration to establish yourself as a patient. Given the nature of the health issues affecting men, complications with internal organs are often treatable if detected early. In fact, death from preventable diseases is more likely in American men than their peers abroad.

Encourage Your Loved Ones to Get a Checkup

If you do not identify as a man but you do have a man in your life, check in him! Consider asking how he is feeling, when the last time he had a checkup is, and even encourage him to pay a quick visit to the doctor.

Get Active

Another, quicker, way to celebrate Men’s Health Month is to get outdoors. June offers plenty of good weather for hiking, biking, playing a round of golf, or even just going out for a daily walk. The best part is that most outdoor activities are group friendly, so grab a few friends and bring them along.

The World Health Organization recommends adults between 18 and 64 do at least 150-300 minutes of exercise per week. Men’s Health Month is a great time to develop a routine that works for your schedule and includes a variety of activities you enjoy.

Organize in Your Community

Want to get involved at the community level? Men’s Health Month’s official website offers a number of ways to involve your local community, including planning a 5K, hosting a fair, or even fundrasing.

Read more about ways to involve your community and discover other resources by clicking here.

 

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