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The Silent Crisis

Men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. Men suffer hearing loss at twice the rate of women. According to Men’s Network (MHN), men have fewer infection-fighting T-cells and are thought to have weaker immune systems than women. Men’s rates of heart disease, cancer and injuries all higher than their female counter parts.

Dr. David Gremillion with MHN states “There is a silent health crisis in America…it’s the fact that, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than women.” Men now die, on average, almost six years earlier than women.

But men don’t suffer alone. When men die prematurely the spouse and family suffer acute grief and loss. The surviving spouse is at increased risk of dying over the course of the next year. Older women have lower prospects for remarriage and extended illness can place a financial burden on the family.

As Representative Bill Richardson (NM) said upon the passage of National Men’s Health Week in 1994: “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.”

Unfortunately according to NMH, men show great reluctance in seeking help for physical or psychological problems or for participating in screening programs. Also, they are less likely than women to adopt healthy behaviors.

This is unfortunate because problems can be prevented by healthy behaviors and treated if they are diagnosed early.

Here's a snapshot of the 10 leading killers of American men in 2002:

Rank	Cause	Percentage of male deaths
1	Heart disease	28.4
2	Cancer	24.1
3	Unintentional injuries	5.8
4	Stroke	5.2
5	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	5.1
6	Diabetes	2.8
7	Influenza and pneumonia	2.4
8	Suicide	2.1
9	Kidney disease	1.6
10	Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis	1.5
Total		79

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004

All but one of these causes of death — stroke — claim proportionately more men's lives than women's lives at all ages. But, the Mayo Clinic says one thing is clear, though: You don't have to become a statistic. By recognizing the leading threats to your life, you can take steps to reduce your risks.

Screening tests can be life savers. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states screening tests, such as colorectal cancer tests, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some men need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others. Talk to your doctor about which of the tests listed below are right for you, when you should have them, and how often. Top health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force made the following recommendations about which screening tests you should have.

Cholesterol Checks: Have your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years, starting at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.
Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years.
Colorectal Cancer Tests: Begin regular screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. How often you need to be tested will depend on which test you have.
Diabetes Tests: Have a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Depression: If you've felt "down," sad, or hopeless, and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for 2 weeks straight, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV.
Prostate Cancer Screening: Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening if you are considering having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal examination (DRE).

Should You Take Medicines to Prevent Disease?

Aspirin: Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin to prevent heart disease if you are older than 40, or if you are younger than 40 and have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke.
Immunizations: Stay up-to-date with your immunizations:

Have a flu shot every year starting at age 50.
Have a tetanus-diphtheria shot every 10 years.
Have a pneumonia shot once at age 65 (you may need it earlier if you have certain health problems, such as lung disease).
Talk to your doctor to see whether you need hepatitis B shots.

This is the bottom line according to the Mayo Clinic: Be concerned about health risks, but don't panic. Do all you can to lead a healthy lifestyle — eat healthy foods, stay physically active, don't smoke, get regular checkups and guard against accidents. By making these preventive measures a way of life, you'll increase your chances of staying vital and active into your 80s and 90s — well beyond the statistical average of 74.5.

Division of Aging and Adult Services
Herb Sanderson, Director
PO Box 1437 - Slot S-530
Little Rock AR 72203-1437
Telephone: (501) 682-2441
Fax: (501) 682-8155