Why is Men’s Health Week Important?
Employing over 18 million workers, the US healthcare system is represented mostly by women (nearly 80% of the healthcare workers are women).
Knowing this is important for healthcare workers, because as a minority in the health system, there is a greater possibility of vulnerability. It is precisely the men who represent the healthcare system who need to take care of their mental, emotional, and physical health in order to continue to provide the best care possible.
Comprehensive care within the health system depends on both male and female perspectives, not only on physical expertise but also on mental health. It is important to find a balance between the two. By taking care of men's health within the healthcare system, we are taking care of this delicate balance that is so important to the health of communities.
National Men’s Health Week
Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on June 19. It is a day to celebrate the importance of fathers within the family, the importance of the paternal role, and their influence in society.
A father is undoubtedly very important in the family, a great inspiration that complements the core formed by a couple and kids. For these reasons, it is emphasized this week right before Father’s Day, that a dad and all male members of a family need to stay healthy physically and mentally. Needless to say, we want our men to stay with us as much as possible, enjoying full health.
So, When Is National Men's Week in the United States?
Just before Father’s Day!
This period of national men's health week was designed to raise awareness about preventable health problems (mental, emotional, and physical problems) in order to encourage early detection and treatment – if necessary – of these diseases. The goal is to prevent the men in our families, whether they are fathers or sons, from having a poor quality of life. On the contrary, we want them to enjoy their lives fully, to have a good life quality, and to be filled with the vitality and strength that families need so badly.
During this week there are many activities that can be carried out to achieve the goals for: a healthy body, good nutrition, regular exercise, good mental health, and preventive access to health care through regular doctor visits. Male healthcare workers and, in general, all men, are encouraged to:
Visit the doctor: Making a regular doctor's appointment can help prevent many illnesses. Many times, clear signs of an illness developing are ignored because of stereotypes of men being “tough” or because other members of the family are prioritized. This is no exception for healthcare workers, who usually put patients, family, and friends before themselves.
Hit the gym: Daily physical activity and exercise, having enough fresh air, being in contact with sunlight and nature when possible, etc., are just a few ways to prevent different health problems and to activate positive hormones for our bodies, as well as to be able to better absorb some vitamins and have better digestion. It is also important to care for the things that we eat and try to have good nutrition to extend our lives.
Wear a blue ribbon: Finally, the blue ribbon is the symbol of being committed to this change towards better universal health. Because through healthier men, health can be spread to loved ones and families. A blue ribbon can be worn by women and men, and it is a great way to support this cause as healthcare workers.
Prevention and constant training: Healthcare workers have many hazards in their day-to-day lives, and quite often it is the men who do the heavy lifting. It is possible to prevent and minimize these risks for healthcare workers, but it is essential to stay in the best possible health and shape as well as to keep up to date with the necessary training to avoid injuries and illnesses such as back injuries, sharps injuries, chemical, and drug exposure, latex allergies, violence or stress. This hazard list is taken from the main hazards a healthcare worker is exposed to, according to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
As health personnel, it is important to be and feel healthy to provide better care to patients, precisely to be able to spread health to those who need it.
