RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—In the 1920s, the average life expectancy of men and women was relatively close—ladies lived about a year longer. Today, however, men are more likely to die at least 5 years earlier than women. In an effort to help improve the health of men across the nation, representatives from both sides of the aisle recently introduced H.R. 2115, the “Men and Families Health Care Act of 2009.”
THE DETAILS: Representatives Barron Hill (D-IN) and Tim Murphy (R-PA) have introduced legislation that would create an Office of Men’s Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, with the goal of improving the lives of men and their families. In the early 1990s, an Office of Women’s Health was established. “The goal of this bill is to raise awareness about men’s health issues, and ways we can prevent and detect men’s health problems. The Office of Men’s Health will bring this issue to the federal stage and result in more men getting the treatment they need, which will save lives,” says Murphy. “For too long the health needs of men have gone unaddressed. This bill will help men’s health take its rightful place in our federal government’s health-care priorities.” The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce at the end of April.
WHAT IT MEANS: “The act is a step in the right direction, to be sure,” says Matt Bean, senior editor at Men’s Health magazine, “but we still have much ground to cover before health care for men is adequately addressed in this country.” He points out that breast cancer studies are funded at nearly triple the level of prostate cancer studies, despite that fact that both diseases kill about 40,000 people each year.
Some other sobering statistics:
• Men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death.
• Male victims account for 92 percent of workplace deaths.
• Men are 4 times as likely to commit suicide than women.
“There is a silent health crisis in America: On average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women,” says David Gremillion, MD, spokesman for Men’s Health Network.
Here are some steps men can take to better their odds of a long, healthy life:
• Speak up. Make improving the lives of men and their families a high priority for the government. The Men and Families Health Care Act is still in the early phase of the legislative process, in which the bill goes to a committee where lawmakers look it over, deliberate, and make changes. Keep in mind that most bills never make it out of committee. Track the progress of the bill, and let members of Congress know you support the idea of creating an Office of Men’s Health. If you don’t want to write an original letter, you can fill one out online.
• Get checkups. The top 10 causes of death in men over 45 are heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, prostate cancer, pneumonia, diabetes, unintentional injuries, colorectal cancer, and liver disease, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers. Many of these problems are preventable, and many of the diseases can be caught in the early stages if you see your doctor routinely. When it’s time for a checkup, be prepared:
1. Bring a list of all the over-the-counter and prescription medicines and supplements you take, including dosage information.
2. Review your family history. Tell your doctor if a close relative has a new condition or disease since your last visit.
3. Find out if you’re due for any vaccines or general screenings, such as those for prostate or colorectal cancers.
4. Write down questions or concerns before you arrive for your appointment. Ask yourself: Have I noticed any body changes, including lumps or skin changes? Am I experiencing pain, dizziness, fatigue, or problems with urine or stool? Have my eating habits changed? Am I experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, distress, or sleep problems?
5. Talk about your future with doc. Do you want to quit smoking or lose weight? Doctors can offer useful advice to help get you on track for making better lifestyle choices.
• Fill up on vegetables and fruit. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your health. They’re packed with antioxidants and other phytonutrients that can protect against disease and keep your waist slim. It’s also important to cut back on red meat, and cut out processed meat altogether. A recent study found that people who ate more of these meats didn’t live as long as those who avoided lots of burgers and lunchmeat. For nonmeat protein, look no further than lentils and beans. They are packed with nutrients and can help fill the void left when you reserve steak for special meals.
• Protect yourself. Wash your hands often (use regular soap, no need for harsh antibacterial products) to cut your risk of catching an infectious disease, use helmets and seat belts, and wear the safest sunscreen possible. If you smoke, try to quit.
• Enlist a woman. Men have a tendency to think they’ll never get sick. “Despite the fact that most guys take a stoic approach to their health—‘I’m good, man, I’ll just walk it off…’ some diseases you just can’t shake,” says Bean. Women, on the other hand, are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual exams and preventive services than men. If there’s a woman in your life, let her know that it’s all right if she’s proactive in encouraging you to make smart health-care decisions.
• Test yourself. Take this Men’s Health quiz to see how much you know about staying healthy.