SPECIAL SECTION:
His & Hers Preventive Health Care

Real MEN Take Care of Their Health

Men tend to lead less healthy lifestyles than women. They’re more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and be overweight. Yet compared with women, men go to the doctor less frequently.

According to a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many men don’t have a regular health care provider. The irony is that men have even more to gain than women by taking steps to prevent future health problems. The average life expectancy for U.S. males is five years shorter than for females. Not all that difference is due to biology.

Take Charge of Your Future

There are things men can do to protect their health. At the top of the list: getting regular checkups and screenings. When health problems are found early, there’s a better chance of successful treatment. For example, when colorectal cancer is found and treated early, 90 percent of patients are still alive five years later.

So if it’s been more than a year since your last checkup, call your provider and set up one.

Ready for Your Checkup

Use these checklists as a guide to what you might need at your next checkup, based on your life stage. See “Prevention Is Paramount” for more information on tests, screenings, and immunizations and how often you need them.

Ages 20 to 64

• Body mass index
• Blood pressure
• Colorectal screening (ages 50 and older)
• Prostate screening (as recommended by your doctor)
• Fasting lipoprotein profile
• Immunizations

Ages 65 and Older

• Body mass index
• Blood pressure
• Colorectal screening
• Hearing screening
• Vision screening
• Prostate screening (as recommended by your doctor)
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (if history of smoking)
• Fasting lipoprotein profile
• Immunizations

WOMEN: Take Care of Yourself, Too

When it comes to their families’ health, women rule the roost, making 80 percent of the health care decisions. Women also are more likely to be the primary caregiver when a family member becomes ill or disabled. In fact, women devote so much time to others’ health, they often overlook their own.

Women need to remember they won’t be able to help others if they don’t take care of themselves. Simple steps, like getting regular checkups and eating nutritious meals, can help keep you healthy for years to come.

Ready for Your Checkup

Use these checklists as a guide to what you might need at your next checkup, based on your life stage. See “Prevention Is Paramount” for more information on tests, screenings, and immunizations and how often you need them.

Ages 20 to 64

• Body mass index
• Blood pressure
• Clinical breast exam
• Osteoporosis screening (ages 60 to 64)
• Colorectal screening (ages 50 and older)
• Pap test
• Mammogram (ages 40 and older)
• Chlamydia (ages 24 and older)
• Fasting lipoprotein profile
• Immunizations

Pregnant Women

• Physical examination
• Blood pressure
• Ultrasound
• Fundal height
• Fetal heart tones
• Fetal movement
• Dipstick urinalysis
• Presence of contractions
• Presence of edema

Ages 65 and Older

• Body mass index
• Blood pressure
• Clinical breast exam
• Osteoporosis screening
• Colorectal screening
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Pap test
• Mammogram
• Fasting lipoprotein profile
• Immunizations