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Men may be catching up in lifespan—the life-expectancy gap between men and women has shrunk to 5.2 years, the narrowest since 1946—but men still need to pay more attention to their health. Why?

Compared to women, men are more likely to:

• Smoke and drink more, and generally lead less healthy lifestyles
• Put off routine checkups and even ignore symptoms of a health problem
• Join in fearless, risky, and dangerous behaviors

Compared to working-aged women, working-aged men are less likely to have:

• A regular doctor
• Health insurance

The good news is that many of the diseases and health conditions that men face can be prevented—or treated if they are found early. To start taking better care of your health, learn about your risk factors. Risk factors are things in your life that increase your chances of getting a certain disease. Some risk factors you cannot change, such as your age or family history. But many are in your control. Find out what you can do to lower your risk factors and improve your overall health. Next, find out how often you should see a doctor for routine checkups and what screenings, tests, and vaccines you might need. By taking these steps, you will feel good knowing you are doing all you can to take charge of your health.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Healthfinder - Healthfinder is a free gateway to reliable consumer health information developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthfinder can lead you to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as the government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public.

   http://www.healthfinder.gov

2.   MEDLINEplus - MedlinePlus provides access to extensive information about specific diseases and conditions and also has links to consumer health information from the National Institutes of Health, dictionaries, lists of hospitals and physicians, health information in Spanish and other languages, and clinical trials.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

3.   Men's Health - This web site links to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about men's health issues.

   http://www.cdc.gov/men/

4.   Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age. Checklist for Your Next Checkup - What can you do to stay healthy and prevent disease? You can get certain screening tests, take preventive medicine if you need it, and practice healthy behaviors. This checklist contains suggestions for regular checkups and screenings for every man.

   http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthymen.htm

5.   Real Men Wear Gowns - Men can take care of themselves better by actively taking part in their health care. This web site encourages men to educate themselves on health care and participate in decisions with their doctor- even if it means wearing an examination gown.

   http://www.ahrq.gov/realmen/

6.   Real Men. Real Depression - On this web site you will learn about depression in men, the signs and symptoms of depression, treatment and getting help, and personal stories from men suffering from depression.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/real-men-real-depression.shtml

7.   Blueprint for Men's Health (Copyright © MHN) - The Blueprint for Men’s Health discusses the main health issues that men face today. Each chapter focuses on a single condition or group of related conditions effecting men. This 70+ page book discusses the factors that increase health risks, how to recognize symptoms, and gives practical, easy-to-implement prevention strategies.

   http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/blueprint.pdf

8. Men's Health Center (Copyright © MFMER) - This web site helps you find information on health issues key to men, including prostate health, sexual health, STDs and fertility.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mens-health/MC99999

9. National Men's Health Week - Men's Health Week is celebrated each year as the week leading up to and including Father's Day. The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

   http://www.menshealthweek.org/

Organizations

1.   Administration on Aging, HHS
2.   Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, OPHS, HHS
3.   Cancer.gov
4.   Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS
5.   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HHS
6.   Fatherhood Initiative
7.   Food and Drug Administration, HHS
8.   Health Resources Services Administration, HHS
9.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
10.   National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS
11.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
12.   National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
13.   National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
14.   National Institutes of Health, OPHS, HHS
15.   Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
16.   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
17. Men's Health Network

= Indicates Federal Resources