Class promotes men’s disease prevention, health screenings

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to recognize the serious health issues with which men are faced.

The overall mortality rate for men is 41 percent higher than for women. American men are two times more likely to die from liver disease, three times more likely to develop kidney stones, four times more likely to commit suicide, five times more likely to have aortic aneurysms and 10 times more likely to get inguinal hernias than women, according to Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School.

“Every month CHPS [Civilian Health Promotion Services) highlights a national health observance and offers health education classes or other services that are applicable to that topic. So with it being Men’s Health Month, we are offering our Men’s Health class,” said Baker. “It covers things from disease prevention to stress management, screening recommendations and overall health and well-being. It’s really an all-encompassing class with some great information for men.”

The CHPS Men’s Health class will review what conditions men are at risk for, screenings that could benefit men, and risky health behaviors common among men. These classes will discuss action steps men can take to reduce their risk for chronic conditions and disease. The classes are open to all, no need for reservations.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women. CHPS offers wellness screenings for federal civilian employees to identify risk factors for heart disease. Wellness screenings include a finger-stick cardiac risk profile to measure cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar, blood pressure measurements, and InBody body composition screenings. These screenings are offered year round, and no appointment is necessary.

Baker said these screenings are ideal for anyone interested in “spotting their risk factors early to allow time for behavior changes that can prevent or delay future disease or injury.”

“We’re trying to hit most buildings once a year,” said Baker, encouraging anyone to reach out and set up a time for CHPS to provide wellness screenings at their worksite location. These screenings are also available as walk-ins.

There’s an upcoming Men’s Health class June 27 at 11:30 a.m. in Bldg. 16, Area B), CR 143 B.

More information about screenings and other CHPS services can be found at https://www.afmcwellness.com.

For details about scheduling a wellness screening or other CHPS event at your worksite location, contact the Wright-Patterson CHPS office at CHPSWrightPatterson@foh.hhs.gov or 937-904-9359.

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