According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are 100 percent more likely to seek preventive care than men.
That's a significant statistic given that myriad health conditions are treatable if you seek care at a Long Island medical center early enough.
As part of Men's Health Month, we encourage men who live on Long Island to see their primary care physician or general practitioner regularly for checkups.
Consider some of these statistics that show the importance of men getting preventive health care.
- In 1920, women lived, on average, one year longer than men. Now, men, on average, die almost five years earlier than women.
- More than 30 million men experience prostate conditions. Of those, 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 will die from it.
- Middle-aged men don’t experience the rapid loss of bone mass that many women experience following menopause. But by age 65 or 70, men and women lose bone mass equally leading to osteoporosis and broken bones which can require the services of an orthopedic surgeon to repair.
- More than 700,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year and nearly 300,000 die from the disease.
- According to the American Heart Association, more than 39 million men experience cardiovascular disease each year, and just under 500,000 die of cardiovascular disease each year.
Along with making preventive care a priority, men should also take steps to stay as healthy as possible.
Take small steps to improve your diet. Avoid oversized meals and be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Eat a wide variety of foods to ensure you're getting all the minerals and vitamins you need to be healthy. Include at least one fruit and vegetable to every meal.
Get active by doing things you enjoy and making simple changes. Play with your kids or grandkids. Use the stairs instead of an elevator. Work in your yard or play a sport you enjoy. Make certain to select activities you enjoy so you stay motivated.
Ready to make an appointment with a doctor for a check-up? Visit PBMC Medical Group to make a quick appointment at a conveniently located Eastern Suffolk County location.