June is Men's Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month, an observance designed to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases including cancer, heart disease, and depression.

Many of men’s health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, can often be avoided by being proactive and living a healthy lifestyle. Here are several steps men can take to improve their health and maintain the highest quality of life:

• Know your family’s health history. Talk to your family, ask questions, and record and share your health information with your doctor and other family members.
• Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods, and lean sources of protein. Limit foods that are high in saturated and trans fats and avoid foods with added sugar and sodium. Refer to MyPlate to find out exactly how much and what foods you need based on your height, weight, age, and physical activity level.
• Be active. Choose activities you enjoy, such as tennis, basketball, or brisk walking. Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Move Your Way Activity Planner to set goals and get personalized tips to help you stay motivated.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Quitting smoking improves your health and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses
• Manage stress. Taking steps to reduce stress can lower your risk of other conditions like heart disease, obesity, high-blood pressure, and depression.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Limiting alcohol can reduce your risk of long-term health risks. Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol for more information.
• Get regular checkups. Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional about having a physical or wellness check each year. Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and weight to catch potentially dangerous conditions early and get proper care, if needed. You can also use the MyHealthfinder tool to get personalized preventive services recommendations.

For an overview on men’s health and tips for healthy habits, visit HHS’s Take Charge of Your Health page. Always consult with your physician before starting any new diet or exercise plan.

If you have questions, please contact worklife@hq.dhs.gov.