Men often don’t like to ask for help, even when it comes to their health. According to a study published earlier this year as part of the National Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars, men are more likely than women to neglect getting preventive healthcare or to delay seeking medical care when they do have symptoms.
The result of this disregard for their health is that, on average, men die 5.4 years younger than women. “Society has almost come to accept that men are going to die earlier than women, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” says Eddy del Rio, M.D., of Washington Regional Family Clinic-Springdale. “Men can make changes in their lives that can help them be healthier and live longer.”
Society often associates risky behavior—like ignoring one’s health—with rugged manliness, but according to Dr. del Rio, living a healthy life should be viewed as a masculine quality. “Taking steps to improve their health can help men be stronger, more productive and have more energy for projects at work and home,” he explains.
“By making healthy lifestyle choices and getting appropriate healthcare, men have it within their power to prevent and lower their risk for many diseases,” Dr. del Rio says. “And that can lead to a longer, more enjoyable life.”
Washington Regional’s Your Health magazine recently featured interviews with several area physicians who offered health advice for men. You can read what they had to say by visiting wregional.com and clicking on the magazine shown in the Feature section.
Leave a Comment