There is an ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and wellbeing of American males. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education and a lack of male specific health programs, men’s health and well-being are deteriorating steadily. It is best illustrated by the life-expectancy gap. In 1920, the expectancy difference in men and women was one year, but by 1990 that had increased to over five years with men having a higher death rate from each of the leading causes of death. Statistics show that men do not see a doctor for a physical exam nearly as often as women, nor are they likely to receive health screenings or men’s blood tests to prevent the onset of more serious conditions including prostate ( PSA ) cancer.
Compared to women, men…
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have higher death rates for all 15 leading causes of death (except Alzheimer’s) and die more than five years younger |
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| represent 50% of the work force, yet account for 94% of all on-the-job fatalities | |
| know less about health and take less responsibility for it | |
| are less likely to see themselves as ill or susceptible to disease or injury | |
| eat less fiber and more fatty, salty foods | |
| smoke more and have more dangerous smoking habits | |
| have higher rates of high blood pressure | |
| drive recklessly and illegally and use safety belts less often | |
| more males than females use, abuse, and are dependent upon substances |
Men’s Health & Wellness Blood and Laboratory Test Checklist
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CHECKUPS & SCREENINGS |
WHEN? |
AGE 20-39 |
AGE 40-49 |
AGE 50+ |
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Physical Exam: review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health-related topics with a professional |
Every 3 Years |
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Every 2 years
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Every year |
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Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. |
Every Year |
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Men’s Blood Tests & Urinalysis: Blood tests and urinalysis screen for various illnesses and diseases such as cholesterol, prostate ( PSA ), kidney and thyroid before symptoms occur. |
Every 3 years |
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Every 2 years |
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Every year |
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EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities |
Baseline |
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Every 4 Years |
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Every 3 Years |
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Rectal Exam: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon cancer, and prostate ( PSA ) cancer |
Every Year |
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PSA BLOOD TEST FOR THE PROSTATE: Prostate Specific Antigen ( PSA ) is produced by the prostate. Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargement or cancer. Prostate or PSA blood tests should be done in collaboration with your physician. |
Every Year |
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TESTOSTERONE SCREENING: Low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression. Initial screening for symptoms begins with a questionnaire and is followed by a simple men’s blood test. |
Discuss with Healthcare Provider |
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COLORECTAL HEALTH: A flexible scope examines the rectum, sigmoid and descending colon for cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early. |
Every 3 to 4 years |
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CHEST X-RAY: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer. |
Discuss with Healthcare Provider |
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