According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States,
on average, die
at higher rates from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, and
COVID-19.
Men’s health issues
don’t just affect men, though. They have a significant impact on everyone
around them. This Father's Day, Aspirus Health encourages everyone to share
something vitally important with the men who matter to you: knowledge that
could help them stay healthy and live longer.
One of the best
things we can all do for our health and happiness is to have a close connection
with a primary care provider we know and trust, and keep up-to-date with
wellness visits.
“It can be difficult
for anyone, but especially for men, sometimes, to speak up about their health
concerns. But it’s important to remember that the primary care provider’s focus
is helping you prevent disease and maintain good health,” says Dr. Nebasi Valantine,
family medicine physician with Aspirus. “Regular visits and honest
conversations with your provider can go a long way in building the trust that’s
necessary for a good patient-provider relationship. We’re here to help.”
A primary care
provider conducts regular checkups and ensures you get the care you need, which
may include:
- Health screenings.
You may feel fine, and you may be healthy. Or you could have a silent health
problem, like high blood pressure, and not even know it. Your primary care
provider can use screening tests to detect some diseases before they cause
symptoms, when they’re often easier to control and treat.
- Vaccines. Are you
due for a routine vaccination, such as Tetanus? A shingles shot? Do you get the
flu vaccine every year? Are you up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine? Getting
recommended vaccines can help you avoid painful or serious diseases, and spend
more time doing the things you love.
- Advice for a healthy
life. Your primary care provider can discuss everything from eating right and
exercising, to feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Cholesterol test.
Depending upon age and risk factors, some men may need their cholesterol
checked. This test can detect signs of heart disease.
- Cancer screenings.
Adult men should plan to get screened for prostate and colon cancer. Your
provider will be able to help determine when these should start and at what
frequency. These screening tests can help find cancer early.
- Staying active. It
is recommended that men incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity 5 times a
week into their daily schedule.
Encourage the dads
in your life to take control of their health and schedule a visit with their
primary care provider. MyAspirus makes scheduling easy. Simply download the
MyAspirus mobile app or visit myaspirus.org
on your desktop computer today to get started.