The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment among men and boys. CBHA regularly promotes activities and competitions that encourage staff to get out and be active. These events might be hiking on the weekend, baseball, soccer, and basketball to name just a few.

Meet Abdiaz Valdez, Felipe Esparza, Guillermo Garza and Sam Gomez, young professional men who work at CBHA. All of them participate in a program called Positive Pulse – a physical activity group open to all CBHA staff members. They work full-time in various parts of the clinic so the evening and weekend events work out well for them. They all have annual blood tests so they know important things about their health such as blood sugar levels and cholesterol numbers.

Another thing these young men have in common is that they are all fathers. This weekend, they will celebrate Father’s Day with their families. As these babies and young children grow, their parents have the responsibility to provide needed care and guidance and to continue to take care of their own health. Studies indicate that men are less likely to visit the doctor and tend to report ill health less frequently than women.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that men set a good example for their family by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. They also recommend regular physical exercise which helps control weight, reduces the risk of heart disease and some cancers plus improving a person’s mental health and mood. If patients smoke, they are encouraged to quit. It is also important that patients learn ways to manage stress.

As men age, regular visits to their health care provider are encouraged. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem. These visits also identify which preventive tests or screenings are appropriate.