According to the World Health Organization, health is not just the absence of disease. Instead, it is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being.
It's almost a cliché that people who identify as men, particularly cisgender men (like yours truly), tend to ignore certain aspects of their health and wellness. This neglect often leads to adverse health outcomes. Therefore, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services promotes Men’s Health Month each June to encourage boys, men, and their families to implement healthy living practices.
Due to a variety of factors, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that those who were assigned male at birth die at a higher rate from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and suicide than those who were assigned female. (Note that the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC use a binary gender framework when they collect public health information, and their data does not account for trans and nonbinary experiences.)
June is also a reminder that we are halfway through another year. We may have abandoned our New Year’s resolutions months ago, but now is the time again to look at our health and see what aspects we can focus on now and in the future. There are steps to help reduce your risk or support those around you for each of these leading causes of death.
Physical Health
As we age, our physical health is often the first thing that we notice. The aches and pains come quicker and more often as we age, and weekend activities require more recovery than usual. Noticing what is happening on the outside is important, but physical health is also about what is happening inside the body.
Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are far too common in the United States today. Healthy practices like exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress can help reduce the likelihood of developing them.
But to truly know how your body's doing, you need to see what is happening inside and out. This means scheduling a check-up with your primary care physician to discuss your habits, family history, medical history, and more.
If you can't get to the doctor quickly, a workplace Mini-Health Screening is an alternative starting place in your preventive health journey. You can even bring the numbers you get from this appointment to your next doctor's visit and begin your conversation with a solid baseline of information.
And if lowering your likelihood of disease isn't enough incentive, you can even get money from the state for participating in preventive care. Sign up for the Health Impact Program, earn points with wellness activities such as Mini-Health Screenings, and receive up to $200 extra in your paycheck once per year.
Mental Health
Physical health might be something we notice more up front, but all aspects of our health are important…even if it is hard to admit. I don’t know about you, but I was often told that "boys don’t cry," or I should just "man up." As a proud bisexual man, these statements only fueled the fire of toxic masculinity growing up. Although I was better able to fit in with the “traditional” masculine group by conforming to these statements and hiding who I am, it took a toll on my mental health.
Suicide has been a leading cause of death in the U.S for many years. Men die from suicide almost four times more often than those who identify as women. (It has to be said that trans and nonbinary people, especially adolescents, and other members of the LGBTQ+ community are also at high risk of suicide, as research from the University's own Russell Toomey and others has demonstrated.)
Suicide is a complex public health crisis, and addressing it requires a multifaceted approach. Still, data shows that some factors have led to increases in suicidal behavior among people who identify as men, such as the tendency to avoid seeking help.
You don't need to let it get to a critical point before you seek help. As a benefits-eligible University of Arizona staff member, you can reach out for non-crisis employee assistance counseling any time. (And if you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling, texting, or chatting at 988.)
Social Health
Are you starting to think about your health in new ways or ways you haven't for a while (New Year’s resolutions gone awry)? Good. Instead of adding summer projects to your to-do list this month, focus on yourself and those in your community, and what will help keep you and them going in the long term.
June will end, but that does not mean you must forget about your health and well-being. Your health is important; you are important. Invest in your journey toward physical, mental, and social well-being now and in the future.