June Newsletter

Men's Health Awareness Month
by Dr. Reid

Governor Jay Inslee declared June "Men's Health Month" in Washington state in 2019, joining the White House, Congress, and 42 other states who issued similar proclamations. For good reason! CDC statistics on men's health are concerning: the average life expectancy for men living in the U.S. is nearly 5 years less than women, 50.5% of men have been diagnosed with hypertension, 41.6% of men are living with obesity, only 28.3% of men meet federal guidelines for physical activity, and 13.2% of men are in fair or poor health. In honor of Men's Health Month, here are 5 ways we can support the men in our lives.

1. Encourage them to get checked! The best medicine is proactive, preventative medicine, and screening guidelines help to detect disease or disorders before they become symptomatic. Recommendations vary by age, but common tests include: annual physical exams, blood pressure, hormones, prostate specific antigen (PSA), colonoscopies, testicular exams, bone mineral density, and sexually-transmitted infections. Take action: ask your ICM provider if you are up to date on screening exams.
2. Talk to a man! Statistics show men are less likely to be diagnosed with mood disorders than women, and subsequently experience social isolation, depression, anxiety, burnout, substance abuse, PTSD, and stress that are chronically unaddressed. Changing attitudes among healthcare professionals and society as a whole can address this issue. Take action: set dedicated time aside to talk to a man in your life. Give them space to share, ask open ended questions, and listen. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHS), and Psychology Today provide excellent resources.
3. Take a man for a walk! ICM featured National Physical Fitness and Sports month in the May newsletter. As you'll recall, we should be getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week The benefits of exercise are well-espoused at this point, yet the average American man does not meet the minimum recommendation. Take action: start slow by going for a walk around the block (bonus points if you go after eating), follow along with a YouTube video of bodyweight exercises, and find an accountability buddy.
4. It's not about the LBS! As noted above, a significant percentage of men report struggling with their weight, which can contribute to a myriad of other health conditions. The goal of any weight management program should not be to focus on the number on the scale, but on healthy body composition. In addition to addressing concomitant conditions, a comprehensive weight management program consists of nutrition, exercise, medications, supplements, hydration, and mindfulness. Take action: enroll in a weight management program led by experienced health professionals or start by downloading a nutrition tracking app like Cronometer.
5. Create community! Social isolation refers to being either/both physically or emotionally disconnected from others. We all experienced this to varying degrees during the pandemic, and it exacerbated the mental health crisis, contributing to increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and loneliness. Take action: volunteer, join a recreational sports league or a book club, sign up for a run club or hiking group, utilize social media (Facebook, MeetUp, Bumble BFF, and Reddit), or sign up for a class to learn a new skill.