According to research, men are significantly less likely than women to see a health care provider, report symptoms or seek preventative care services.
According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, men are at higher risk than women for many serious diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers. Men also face unique health problems that don’t affect women, such as prostate cancer. However, AARP research indicates that men are significantly less likely than women to see a health care provider, report symptoms, or seek preventative care services.
Knowing this, it’s important to provide male Veterans the knowledge and resources they need to take control of their health.
Check out these steps to help prevent disease and improve your wellness based on evidence-based Healthy Living messages from the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention:
- Get preventive screenings. Screenings are medical tests your health care provider can use to check for diseases and certain health conditions. Screenings can find problems earlier when they may be easier to treat. For example, early detection of prostate cancer can greatly improve your chances of recovery. Many important screenings relate to health conditions commonly found in Veterans. These include colorectal screens at 45 years of age and older, lung cancer screens between 50-80 years of age, cardiovascular risk screens between 45-75, and prostate cancer screens from 55-69 years of age. You can find a full list of screenings by checking out the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommended preventative services for men or use the My HealthFinder tool, put in your age and sex, and learn what screening tests and vaccines you may need.
- Establish a relationship with a primary care provider. Since men are less likely to report symptoms or seek regular health care, it’s important to find a primary care provider you’re comfortable with. This can make sharing health-related issues easier and allow your provider to help you manage your health conditions, learn your family health history, and look for changes in your overall health. Scheduling an annual check-up, even when you feel healthy, is a great place to start.
- Pay attention to your gut health. Researchers are learning more about the bacteria and other microbes that live in our gut. Evidence from the National Institutes of Health shows that gut health may play a role in health conditions like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer. To improve your gut health, avoid processed foods, eat some yogurt, and consider taking a probiotic.
- Move more. How many of us do 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week? And also work on strength and endurance at least two days a week like the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion exercise guidelines suggest? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the answer is only 25% of us. Physical activity has so many health benefits, like lowering your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. Check out these tips for getting motivated.
- Manage stress levels. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that chronic stress can cause a number of health issues such as musculoskeletal pain, increased risk for stroke and heart attack, inflammation and more. Knowing how to relax can help. Start by taking slow, deep breaths and learning how to meditate or use mindfulness to stay grounded in the present. Yoga is another technique many Veterans use to reduce stress. Tactical Breather is a free downloadable app that can help you learn to control your response during stressful situations.
- Avoid risky behaviors. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion indicates that men are more likely than women to make unhealthy or risky choices such as drinking too much alcohol or smoking. These habits contribute to several health conditions such as heart damage, certain cancers and more. Get support for alcohol use disorder and smoking cessation to improve your overall health.
- Make small changes every day. It’s always easier to make small changes first. For example, take a short walk every day after work (even 10 minutes), drink a glass of water instead of a soda once a day or try to learn a simple healthy recipe instead of eating fast food or takeout. These small changes can add up to big results over time.
- Sleep well. Insufficient sleep has been linked to a number of chronic conditions, such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more. The CDC recommends adults get seven or more hours of sleep a night. If you struggle to sleep well, check out the common sleep disorders affecting Veterans.
- Get mental health support. Men are more likely to die by suicide than women but less likely to seek help for mental health issues. It’s important to know that you aren’t alone, and help is available. VA offers screening tools for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use and has a wide range of mental health resources and treatment options.
- Tap into the resources and services designed to help. You don’t have to solve all of your health issues alone. Your community, your health care team, and VA all have resources and services designed to support you. Check out the resources below to find what you need to improve your health and wellness.
Resources
VA’s MOVE! Program – MOVE! is an evidence-based program that assists Veterans in achieving meaningful weight loss and reducing their risk for chronic health conditions like diabetes. MOVE! helps Veterans establish better eating patterns and increase physical activity. Read about MOVE! success stories, including this Veteran who used a wide range of physical activities to get into shape.
VA’s Whole Health Program – With Whole Health, Veterans work with a health team to create a personalized plan that incorporates everything from personal development and mindful awareness to physical activity and diet. You can see how Whole Health works through this story about a Veteran who used Whole Health to improve his health and strengthen his relationships.
VA’s Mental Health Services – Certain mental health conditions are more prevalent in Veterans, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s important to get the support and treatment you deserve.
VA’s Mobile Apps – While it’s important to seek regular health care, VA has designed several apps for Veterans to use in between appointments to maintain their health and wellness. Check out apps that help you with anger management, manage your PTSD symptoms, improve your sleep, and more.
Move Your Way – This site offers several tools that can make achieving your movement goals easier. You can find motivational videos, printable activity planners for each week and much more.
You deserve to feel your best. Make a promise to your future self to get healthy today!