Gentlemen, this month, it’s all about you and your health. Each June, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country to heighten awareness and encourage the early detection and treatment of preventable health problems for men and boys. Whether you’re reading this with regard for your own health, or for the health of a male in your life, it’s the perfect opportunity for you, or a loved one, to participate in an annual wellness visit with a primary care provider.
At an annual wellness exam, you can bring up any concerns about your health, review your medication and vaccination status, hear about health maintenance activities relevant to your age and risk factors, and undergo a complete history and physical.
By monitoring baselines for issues such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, diet, alcohol, and smoking, you can be alerted to potential problems early on, while treatment may be possible.
While getting a physical is important, it’s equally as important to continue getting physically fit as well. The benefits of physical activity are extensive, not only for your physical well-being, but for your mental health as well. Exercise; combined with a healthy, balanced diet can help lower the risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. There is no better time to start then now!
Jeffrey M. Borkan, MD, PhD, is chair and professor in the Department of Family Medicine and assistant dean for Primary Care-Population Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He and his partners are currently accepting new patients at the Care New England Medical Group Family Care Center - Pawtucket, 111 Brewster Street. For more information or to make an appointment please call (401) 729-2304.
Care New England Medical Group offers convenient primary care locations across Rhode Island, for more information please visit carenewengland.org/primary-care.