DirectShifts Celebrates International Men's Health Week 2022

DirectShifts Celebrates International Men's Health Week 2022

International Men's Health Week is celebrated every year since 2002 and is meant to focus on health issues affecting men. This year, it will be celebrated from June 13 through Father's Day on June 19. It's a good time for men to take care of their fitness, and overall health, and then do something about it.

Many Men Would Rather choose to Suffer

A recent study found that

• Men are about 3.5 times more likely to die of suicide than women
• Men have a higher rate of workplace injuries than women
• Almost 40% of men in the age group of  20 and above are obese
• 33% of men aged 20 and above have high blood pressure
• Men have more chronic illnesses than women

Eight diseases men are prone to:

• Heart-related diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Liver disease
• Alcohol abuse
• Diabetes
• AIDS
• Cancer
• Depression

Men have been recorded to be more prone to various kinds of cancer such as skin cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, etc.

There are various lifestyle changes you can make today that can significantly reduce your chances of developing these diseases. Luckily, healthcare employers can easily address these issues during Men's Health Week. 

Activities for Men's Health Week

Below we outline seven days' worth of activities for the healthcare organizations:

1: Help them with health evaluation & goal setting

Since Men's Health Week begins on a Monday, take the time to encourage male clinicians and physicians to evaluate their overall health and set goals. It's easier to make healthy changes when you have a goal to work towards. Send an email with the following details:

Your health is your most important and precious asset. As you consider the following information, think about how you can improve your health.

• What would be your prime motivation to improve your health?
• What current unhealthy habits would you like to quit?
• Where do you see yourself health-wise in 3 or 6 months from now? 
• What new habits would you incorporate for this to happen?

2: Encourage healthcare checkups

There are so many diseases and illnesses that can only be detected by blood check-ups and regular physical examination. Use this forum to encourage male employees to schedule an examination with a doctor. 

• Set up a date for a biometric screening
• Prostate screening & Testicular Cancer
• Share resources on necessary health screenings
• Schedule and send out annual screening reminders
• Pass out details on male-specific health issues like heart diseases and cancer

3: Work-life balance

Having a workplace/job you like, can also give you a sense of peace & security which in turn can keep you healthy. Take a step toward making your work life a bit easier by picking the right kind of job for you

• If you like total flexible control over your working hours find yourself a Locum/ per diem job
• If you are someone who likes to work in proper office settings with fixed hours of work & leaves, you can find permanent jobs
• If you like the comfort, ease & freedom of work from home jobs. You might want to explore remote jobs

4: Discuss weight issues

Encourage employees, peers & friends to measure their weight to determine if they need to make lifestyle changes. This can be as simple as checking an online BMI calculator or checking in with their doctor. Excess weight tends to be more of an issue in men, especially as they start aging.

• Set up a daily walking time for office employees
• Host a nutritionist for a lunch and learn event
• Spearhead a weight loss challenge for the office 
• Small changes in diet, finding enjoyable exercises, taking walks at lunch, finding friends in colleagues, etc. are tips that your employees can implement.

5: Remove the stigma around mental health

Mental health awareness is as important as physical health and should not be ignored. Reducing stress, dealing with trauma, and working through life events are all important and should be addressed at the right time.

• Organizing sessions/webinars
• Providing Employee recognition
• Share local mental health resources with your community, peers, friends & employees

6: Promoting healthy eating

A well-balanced diet is essential to good health. Healthy foods are not only important for weight, but for managing diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

• Arrange a heart-healthy lunch
• Share topics/articles/books  on heart health
• Host a cardiologist for a lunch and learn
• Share healthy recipes and encourage employees to make mealtimes fun, including cooking together by getting the kids or spouses involved.

7: Promote daily exercise

Daily exercise is not only important for weight loss, but a sedentary lifestyle causes many health problems. Recent reports suggest that one in three men suffer from cardiovascular issues, which can be caused by issues like smoking, a poor diet, and lack of exercise.

• Host a step challenge
• Encourage walking meetings
• Share resources like desk exercises

Anything you can do to encourage your employees to move daily is a step in the right direction. It can improve overall health, but especially cardiovascular health,  a must for men of all ages.

 8: Take time off

This is a perfect wrap-up for the week and right before the weekend hits. Because men are much less likely to report feelings of overwhelm or stress, it's sometimes hard to gauge when they need a break. 

• Host a Mindful Monday event
• Have HR notify healthcare workers of vacation days left
• Bring in a yoga teacher for a meditation event
• Remind them to enjoy their weekend

Shifting the Mindset For Future Generations of Men

This month is the ideal time to focus on spreading awareness about men's health issues. If men and their loved ones have a better understanding of the lifestyle choices, and social and behavioral factors that increase poor health risk, they can make the right changes. The activities listed above are just one way to participate in the promotion of male health issues. Get creative in a manner that fits your workplace culture! And try our best to shift the mindset of men to Their health matters, and it comes first!