Helping the men in your life live healthier lives is often a difficult task. But it is so important. The Black Woman's Guide to Black Men's Health is jam packed with tips you need to get started. Here are just a few that you can start doing today.
Help him find a doctor that he feels comfortable with, and help him schedule regular office visits.
Make sure he knows his important health numbers, such as his blood pressure, cholesterol levels, risks of diabetes, etc. Keep a health folder for all test results at home, as well as at your doctor’s office.
Know as much about family health history as possible. Health history can be an important indicator of health risks. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancers such as colorectal, and prostate cancer can run in families.
Encourage him to floss. Good dental hygiene is important for more than just his smile. New research suggests that there is a link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease and even the plaque buildup in the brain that can cause Alzheimer’s Disease.
Help him make smart diet choices. Make sure he’s getting enough fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and cold water fish. Cut back on the sugary sodas, fried foods, and high fat desserts.Also encourage him to drink more water. It’s good for the digestive system, and is great for his skin.
Get moving…together. Obesity can affect all aspects of health. A regular and consistent fitness plan can make a big difference, too.
Make sunscreen a family habit. Don’t forget to encourage him to examine the palms of his hands, soles of his feet and his body for suspicious moles and lesions that could be the beginnings of skin cancer.
Help him remember to take his medications as recommended by his health care provider.
Help lift the stigma around mental health. Know the warning signs of depression and other mental health issues and encourage him to seek out medical attention.
Start young. If we want to have future generations of healthy men, and women, we need to make prevention and open conversation about health a priority in all of our homes.