June is Men’s Health Month

Every June we celebrate fathers and the important male figures in our lives — but did you know that June is also Men’s Health Month?

There are currently over 158 million males in America. (Cue the Weather Girls singing, “It’s raining men.”) Phew — that’s a lot of Y chromosomes! We know that whether you’re a man, a woman, or a child, that it’s important to take care of your health. But here’s the thing — men are less likely to visit a doctor than women and also die earlier.

Scientists speculate that women may have a biological advantage when it comes to rates of longer life expectancies than men, but that there are also societal factors that contribute to this worldwide trend. One reason? Women engage in fewer behaviors that are bad for your health — like smoking for example.

Smoking has all sorts of health risks, like heart disease, which happens to be the leading cause of death for men in America. In fact, almost 25 percent of men die from heart disease. (You better take care of that ticker!) Cancer comes in as the second leading cause of death for U.S. males and accounts for another 23.4 percent. (#cancersucks)

So guys, what gives?

While your health is determined by certain things that are out of your control — like genetics, your environment, and good ol’ fashion circumstance, there are things you can do to take care of yourself and better your overall health.

Exhibit A:

Men’s Health Checklist

• Schedule an annual checkup with your primary care doctor.
• Have your prostate routinely checked. (One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.)
• Refrain from harmful health behaviors like smoking and/or excessive alcohol use.
• Be aware of your family history — and act on it.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthful diet.

We know, we know — it’s all stuff you’ve heard before. But before you roll your eyes, basics really do set a foundation for a healthful life, and around here, that’s what we care about most — YOU.

We care about your physical health as well as your fiscal health. No one should have to skip out on doctor visits or healthcare because of costs. Agree? Join us in rolling back state-based mandates that drive up the costs of healthcare — for everyone.