Advancing men's health: Taking steps toward living longer
National
Men's Health Week: June 11-17
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[June 12, 2012]
CHICAGO --
During National Men's Health Week, Illinois Department of Public
Health Director LaMar Hasbrouck is encouraging men statewide to
recognize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise
and medical checkups.
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The goal of National Men's Health Week is to raise awareness of
preventable health problems and encourage early detection and
screening of disease among men and boys. The annual observance is
celebrated during the week leading up to Father's Day. "Men's
Health Week is a great reminder to all men that we need to take our
health seriously. If you are overdue for a checkup, take this week
to schedule a visit with your doctor or to visit a health care
facility or clinic for a general checkup," said Dr. Hasbrouck. "Men
frequently ignore symptoms and are reluctant to seek medical care
until there is a crisis. Early detection and treatment is critical
to staying healthy."
Nationwide and in Illinois, men have shorter life expectancies
than women. Men also die at higher rates than women from the top 10
causes of death in Illinois, including heart disease, cancer,
stroke, HIV/AIDS, homicide and other diseases. Men are less likely
to visit the doctor for annual exams and preventive services -- a
pattern that must be reversed, Hasbrouck said.
Hasbrouck was a keynote speaker at the Men's Health Week
celebration at the Komed Holman Health Center in Chicago, reminding
attendees to focus on solutions and work on facilitating access to
care and removing barriers that keep many men from going to the
doctor.
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Hasbrouck also reminds men that along with regular screenings and
checkups, they should eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, reduce
stress, keep alcohol consumption to moderate levels and stop using
tobacco.
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public Health
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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