Celebrating National Men’s Health Month 2025

What do diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and high blood pressure have in common? You may be surprised to learn that all these health conditions occur more often in men than women. More strikingly, the higher prevalence of these conditions in men may be contributing to their shorter life expectancy compared to women by approximately five years.

Men also have higher death rates, are more likely to be uninsured, and make half as many physician visits for disease prevention than women. But what do we do about these men’s health disparities?

Men’s Health Week is celebrated annually in June, coinciding with the week leading up to and including Father’s Day. This year, Men’s Health Week fell on June 9-15. The goal of Men’s Health Week is to raise awareness of preventable health conditions among men and boys across the world. This includes public education campaigns on early detection and prevention of common diseases that are more prevalent in men. This annual international campaign peaks each year with “Wear Blue Friday,” which was held this year on June 13.

On this day, organizations and individuals are encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness and promote the importance of men and boys living longer, healthier lives. These campaigns also underscore the fact that men’s health is family and community health. In an address to Congress in May 1994, Congressman Bill Richardson stated, “Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.”

What can men do to detect these health conditions earlier for more effective disease management and modification, or even to prevent these diseases? One of the most basic avenues of prevention and early detection is for men to ensure that routine checkups and screenings are performed throughout their lifespan. The Men’s Health Network has created a helpful chart (link at the bottom of this article) detailing the recommended frequency of various health checkups and screenings across different age ranges, including physical exams, blood tests, self-exams and other screenings.

Additionally, there is something else that diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and high blood pressure have in common. Each of these conditions can be effectively modified or even prevented with lifestyle changes. A healthy diet and consistent exercise have been shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, including high blood pressure and stroke. Additionally, there is significant support for the fact that diet and exercise can delay the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Studies have shown that diets emphasizing fiber (fresh fruits and vegetables), whole grains (wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa and oats), lean protein (chicken, fish and turkey) and healthy fats (avocado, nuts, seeds and fish), while limiting high-fat dairy products, saturated and trans fats (butter, processed meats and fried foods) and sodium can reduce risk of developing cardiovascular disease that can lead to stroke and heart attacks.

For diabetes, non-starchy vegetables (such as leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots), lean protein, unrefined grains (like oats, quinoa and brown rice) and healthy fats have been shown to help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, research suggests that whole, plant-based diets rich in lean protein and healthy fats can help delay the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Exercise also plays a vital role in the prevention and management of these health conditions. The American College of Sports Medicine, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that healthy adults aged 18-65 years participate in physical activity at moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes on five days/week or vigorous intensity for at least 20 minutes on three days/week.

A simple way to determine if you are exercising at the appropriate intensity is to perform the “Talk Test.” If you can talk while exercising but find it difficult to sing, you are likely achieving moderate-intensity exercise, while vigorous-intensity exercise would make it difficult to speak more than a few words without pausing for a breath. Research has shown that exercising at these recommended levels can reduce the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease and delay the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

So, what are the brass tacks? Men who are more likely to develop certain health conditions — such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and high blood pressure – can reduce their risk of developing these conditions or delay the onset and progression by ensuring that they are undergoing routine health checkups and screenings and making lifestyle changes related to diet and exercise. When our fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles, nephews, cousins and friends are healthier, our communities are healthier. If you have any concerns about living a longer, healthier life, do not hesitate to reach out to one of your healthcare providers to discuss these concerns, and consider wearing blue to celebrate men’s health!

Matthew Martin, PT, DPT, is a clinical instructor of physical therapy at LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions and is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy.

Men’s Health Network “Get It Checked” Guidelines: https://www.menshealthmonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/getitcheckedpostermen.pdf
References:
Crimmins, E. M., Shim, H., Zhang, Y. S., & Kim, J. K. (2019).
Differences between men and women in mortality and the health dimensions of the morbidity process. Clinical chemistry, 65(1), 135-145.
Lanier, J. B., Bury, D. C., & Richardson, S. W. (2016). Diet and physical activity for cardiovascular disease prevention. American family physician, 93(11), 919-924.
Reynolds, A. & Mitri, J. (2024). Dietary advice for individuals with diabetes. Endotext [Internet].
https://menshealthmonth.org/
https://www.menshealthnetwork.org/wearblue/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations
https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/eating-healthy
https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/management/diet-nutrition