Rural Health, Inc. Encourages Men to be Proactive in Seeking Medical Care

(Southern Illinois) – June is National Men’s Health Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease. Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) encourages men to make regular checkups, physical wellness, and mental health discussions with their healthcare provider a priority for living better and longer.

“When it comes to medical care, men have traditionally gone to the doctor less often than women for many understandable reasons,” said Shawnna Rhine, RHI Director of Public Relations. “But skipping routine physicals and ignoring early warning signs, regardless of the reason, allows minor treatable conditions to become severe.”

It is estimated that only 3 out of 5 men get annual physicals, and that over 40% of men only go to the doctor when they think they have a serious medical condition. Because the vast majority of common issues can be evaluated with a simple check-up or blood test, preventive care and early diagnosis are the most effective ways to manage long-term health.

RHI recommends men do the following, with the guidance of their healthcare provider, to help improve their health outcomes and prevent long-term illness.

• Preventive care with your provider that includes regular checkups, blood pressure tests, and cholesterol and heart screenings to prevent cardiovascular disease.
• Regular Cancer Screenings that include prostate, colorectal, lung, and melanoma.
• Mental Health visits that focus on recognizing male depression and the high rate of male suicides, breaking the stigma around asking for help, stress reduction, and emotional well-being.
• Healthy habits that promote self-care, exercise, sleep, and a healthy diet.
• Physical activity and nutrition that helps you engage in regular, moderate activity (at least 150 minutes a week) and maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

For more information on men’s health and what you can do, or to schedule an appointment with a Rural Health, Inc. provider, call 618-833-4471 or visit ruralhealthinc.org for a health center close to you.

Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.

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