June is men’s health month
June is Men’s Health Month! This annual observance, established in 1994, is a time to help educate men and their families about the importance of being proactive about their health by using preventive health practices and healthy living decisions.
Toni Handboy, MSW, (Cheyenne River Lakota), spoke out about the importance of men’s mind/body/spirit health, saying:
“In June we honor our relatives — brothers, uncles, grandfathers — and those who step into those roles in our lives to fill the shoes of lost loved ones as Hunka relatives. We celebrate them this month for so many reasons, not the least of which is that our fathers created the very beings that we are today. They are to be honored, cherished and valued for everything they do for their loved ones — both big and small….
“When it comes to the mind, it is important for men to take care of their mental health. Keep your wellness in balance. Be aware of anxiety, depression and grief, or if you’re tired. Remember to take a break. To also remember that as a man you can’t always be the teacher.
“It is important to pamper yourself. To remember to not get burnt out. A few ideas are to take a hike, take a break, camp out and reconnect with your spirit. Listen to your favorite music and relax at a spot or location that helps you feel relaxed. Reflect on life and rejuvenate by starting a journal. Tracking your “aha” moments. These are the small steps to feeling better.
“For the body, remember to take good care of your (physical) health. Be in tune to your health, heart, lungs, feet and other parts of our body. Be good to your health so that you can live a long life for our relatives. A man is a warrior of his own making. Some health items for men are not always talked about and health disparities among men are not always detected early.
“Have a checkup for your prostate, colon, teeth and other items. Get a sleep study. Start a good exercise routine. Walk, run or ride a bike. Start a healthy journey to take care of your body. Oftentimes these items are silent killers. It’s not too late to pay attention to them.
“Taking care of your spirit is the most vital part of taking care of yourself. Take a chance and a risk to live a good life and start today. Cherish yourself and your life. Make those life choice changes that you have always wanted to do. Be more aware and watch for the signs of things that need to change. All it takes is a small decision to implement a change so you can be around longer for your relatives. …”
This year (2024), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focusing on improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men through its theme Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections.”. According to a newsletter recently published by HHS-OMH. “This theme calls on each of us to better understand how the unique environments, cultures, histories, and circumstances (known as social determinants of health, or ‘SDOH’) of racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN men impact their overall health.
“On average, men in the United States die nearly 6 years earlier than women and are at higher risk for many serious diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. In addition, men experience unique health problems that don’t affect women, like prostate cancer. Negative impacts of SDOH factors…can increase (men’s) risk for poor health outcomes. …
“Public health and community-based organizations can take steps to start improving the health of … AI/AN men in their communities by addressing SDOH.”
The U.S. government Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies the following as social determinants of health (SDOH) for men: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, social and community context. For more information on how these SDOH impact men’s health, go to minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mens-health-month-2024-learn-more-about-sdoh
HHS-OMH notes, “To improve men’s health, it’s important to raise awareness of SDOH and reduce related barriers, including barriers to preventive screenings and regular health care for men of all ages. By addressing SDOH through a comprehensive approach, we can work to advance health equity and reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations, like racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN men.
HHS-OMH published a free downloadable Men’s Health Month toolkit available at minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mens-health-month-2024-toolkit and strongly recommends:
- CONNECT: Participate in conversations about health equity on social media by tagging @MinorityHealth on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram and using the hashtags #SourceForBetterHealth and #MensHealthMonth;
- CONVENE – Bring together members of your community and trusted organizations to identify concerns specific to your community;
- COLLABORATE – Work with trusted partners to address the impact of SDOH on … AI/AN men and to find innovative solutions. Mobilize partners to develop and implement strategies addressing health disparities and long-standing inequities.
(Contact Grace Terry at grace@angelsabide.com)
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SOURCES:
minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mens-health-month-2024-learn-more-about-sdoh
www.westrivereagle.com/articles/celebrate-men-in-june/
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June 13, 2024