June is men's health awareness month

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jovan Banks
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
June is Men's Health Month and presents an opportunity to increase awareness about men's important men's health issues such as hypertension; obesity and heart disease; and skin, colon, prostate and testicular cancers.

During this time, the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) and Military Health System (MHS) focus on preventive care by opening the dialogue between the defense community and their health care providers and promoting early detection and treatment of diseases and injuries.

To help ensure medical readiness, the Air Force and MHS encourage men to monitor their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, weight and body mass index. These numbers can provide a baseline for the state of one's own health and an early alert to the potential for diseases or health risks.
Acknowledging the relationship between poor habits and poor health is the initial step to toward optimal health.

"It's back to the basics for these health risks, the same as all others," said Brian Kirby, the health promotions director assigned to the 509th Medical Operations Squadron. "Good nutrition, proper sleep, managing stress wisely and living physically active and tobacco-free can reduce the risk for health concerns."

There are many resources to help with forming and keeping new healthy habits.
There are more than a dozen agencies that work hard to provide assistance for all of Team Whiteman.

"One of our favorite resources for all things related to health and performance is the Department of Defense's Human Performance Resource Center located at http://hprc-online.org," said Kirby. "It's a very extensive set of content that is kept very fresh each week that includes topics ranging from the latest dietary supplement alerts and recalls to honest discussions on family and relationship issues."

Accepting the challenge to find healthy habits to work into a daily routine could be the difference in changing ones overall health for the better, whether it is social, physical, mental or spiritual.