A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that “men are 80 percent less likely than women to use a regular source of health care” (Everyday Health). Other reports found that as many as 50 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 50 don’t have a source of everyday health care. Experts suspect that this is a reason why men tend to die at a younger age from more serious diseases.
Men typically only see a medical professional when they feel sick or have an emergency. This type of thinking can have potential life threatening consequences. Several diseases and cancers do not have symptoms until much later in their progression. Regularly visiting a doctor is a critical factor in preventing diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
How often should men visit a doctor? It depends on several factors such as age, health, and family history but generally:
- Men ages 18-39 should visit the doctor every two years to have their blood pressure checked
- Men ages 35+ should be tested for high cholesterol and heart disease every five years
- Men ages 45+ should be screened for diabetes every three years
- Men ages 50-75 with no history of colon cancer or polyps should be screen for colorectal cancer every five to ten years
(The Huffington Post)
Surveys have found that men avoid the doctor for a variety of reasons: lack of time, fear of results, and it is perceived as unmasculine. If a man in your life has not been to the doctor in a while, encourage him to go so he and a medical professional can set up his own schedule preventative screening timeline.
AIM Health is encouraging everyone to remind their dads about getting healthy through a Father’s Day contest. Share a photo of your dad’s healthy habit or activity on the AIM Health Facebook page and you will be entered to win a 2017 TCL 32-Inch 720p LED TV. Check out the contest and our page here.
