Havre, Montana – June is Men’s Health Month in America, and at Northern Montana Health Care. This special awareness period it to encourage men and boys to take care of their health and to heighten the public’s awareness of the many preventable health problems that affect them and their families.
“As an Internal Medicine provider at Northern Montana Health Care, I feel this is a critical time to encourage men and their families to focus on Men’s Health,” said Dr. Kevin Harada, Internal Medicine Provider at the Northern Montana Specialty Medical Center. “Many men do not like to go to the doctor and do not like to think about their own health. This is one time a year when we can get the word out that men need to take time for themselves, to think about their health, and take actions to improve their health.”
Statistics show that men, on average, live 5 years less than their female counterparts. Men have a higher rate of death for most of the leading causes of death; including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and suicide. 1 in 2 men will develop cancer sometime in their lives; and 1 in 4 will actually die from it. Yet men make one half as many physician visits as women.
“Men’s health is much more than physical health” adds Dr. Harada. “Mental health sets the tone for the proper evaluation of one’s physical health. Men’s health can improve with the help of loved ones in their lives, increasing physical activity at work and at home, and by eating a well-balanced properly portioned diet. In addition, this helps to show young men the value of healthful eating and an active lifestyle.”
NMHC encourages men to consider taking care of themselves as something they can do for their family’s well-being, as well as, themselves.