The month of June is known for many things when it comes to celebrations. Men’s Health Month is one of them.

Men’s Health Month, however, is not nearly talked about as much as some others. That is why we at Community Health Northwest Florida are recognizing Men’s Health Month with the goal of showing men and boys that it is OK to seek health and wellness help whether it’s  for physical or mental conditions.

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to raise awareness about men’s health needs and provide information and give encouragement to men to visit their doctor and take care of their health needs.

Men typically are less likely to visit a doctor to receive medical treatment. One of the reasons behind this is because men don’t want to be seen as weak for seeking help when they need it most. Some men go months – or even years — to get medical treatment, which could leave an illness undiagnosed.

This mindset is part of the reason for the growing five-year gap in the life expectancy between men and women. Some of the leading factors in this gap are because women are more likely to go to the doctor than men. That often causes men to find out about a diagnosis later on in life which could cause the problem to worsen over time.

Here are some ways men can stay on track with their health:

• Schedule and keep regular doctor appointments
• Stay up to date with vaccinations
• Eat healthy meals
• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

With June being Men’s Health Month, it is never too late to take control over your health. When it comes to men’s health, don’t let it slide. 

Note: This article was written by Veronica Pritchett who is working as a part of the CHNWF Communications Team through the Escambia County Summer Youth Employment program.