What Men’s Health Month Means For African Americans

Men’s Health Month occurs every June with this year’s Men’s Health Week occurring June 12th through the 18th. This month, we dedicate time to raising awareness for the health issues that many men face, especially Black Americans and multiracial people. Understanding your risk for health conditions based on racial background and other risk factors, like age and family history, is vital. We look at some of the most common health issues that the Black population faces, what you can do to live a healthier lifestyle, and how you can make an impact this month.

Health Issues Affecting Black Americans

While people self-identifying as any race are susceptible to many health conditions, the Black population is especially vulnerable to several. From a lack of educational attainment to living in poorer neighborhoods to higher rates of unemployment and being uninsured, the Black community is fighting for racial equality in healthcare. Men’s Health Month stresses the importance of the struggle that many men face when seeking care for these conditions and more.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is a term used to describe a number of conditions related to the heart, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and more. Although Black women are disproportionately affected by heart disease as compared to Black men, African Americans are much more susceptible to it than White people. The Office of Minority Health reports that both African American and non-Hispanic White people were diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease in similar numbers, but that Black people were less likely to have their hypertension controlled and more likely to die from heart disease.

Mental Health Concerns

Many Blacks live in low-income neighborhoods and are below the poverty line themselves, placing them at higher risk for psychological distress. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the rates of serious mental illness rose among African Americans between 2008 and 2018. As an example, while depression and major depressive episodes have decreased overall across the country and all races, they have increased sharply among all age groups of Black Americans. Black teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide but, as a race, African Americans are less likely to die by suicide compared to those of other ethnic background.

Prostate Cancer

Black Americans are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than White men and other people of color. Part of the problem is that their cancer is detected later when it is more advanced and there are fewer treatment options available. Awareness and early detection has improved survival rates for all races, including African American patients. Today, when caught early, prostate cancer has a 99% 5-year survival rate. More needs to be done to raise awareness of prostate cancer and its disproportionate effects on the black population. However, there have already been great strides made with concerted efforts on behalf of government agencies, local community organizations, and healthcare providers.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects your body’s use of insulin, either by changing how much of it is produced or how well it responds to it. It often leads to other serious health conditions like heart disease and kidney disease. Diabetes also affects the Black population more than non-Hispanic Whites and every other race. The Office of Minority Health reports that African American adults are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, with Black men more likely to die from it. In recent years, it’s been found that Black people were more than 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized with complications from the disease and twice as likely to succumb to it than White people.

Kidney Disease

The National Institutes of Health has insight into why Black people are more likely to suffer from kidney disease than any other race. American Indians and Alaskan Natives are 1.2 times and Hispanics are 1.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with kidney failure. By comparison, Black Americans are four times as likely to suffer from it. The two most common causes of kidney failure are hypertension and diabetes, which are also prevalent in African American communities for a variety of reasons, including the lack of preventative care, lifestyle choices, and limited access to healthy foods.

Living a Healthier Life

The School of Public Health and Indiana University has offered a list of ways that all men, regardless of race, can improve their overall health, reduce their risk of chronic illness, and feel better each day. Remember that men’s health is important all year and not just in June when we recognize Men’s Health Month. If you have any existing health conditions or questions about implementing the suggestions below, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Your ideal weight is typically measured by body mass index (BMI). You can use a BMI calculator to help you determine the ideal weight for your height. It will not include body type or other factors, so your doctor may give you a different target weight.
• Eat a Healthy Diet: It’s important to consider the types of foods you eat and the size of your portions. While there are many trendy diets out there, the best bet is to learn more about the foods you eat, like protein, carbohydrate, and fat content.
• Take a Multivitamin Supplement: Multivitamins are a great way to ensure you get plenty of the nutrients your diet may be lacking.
• Stay Hydrated: You should aim to drink 0.5 ounces of water per one pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink approximately 100 ounces of water each day.
• Exercise Regularly: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends 150 minutes of physical activity each week. You can break this down into shorter workout sessions throughout the week that fit better into your schedule. If needed, start small and work your way up.
• Reduce Screen Time: Sitting down too much increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. If you must work at a computer most of the day, be sure to take frequent breaks. Getting up to walk or stretch can help you feel better throughout the day as well.
• Get Enough Sleep: The amount of sleep you need changes as you get older. The important thing is that you feel rested when you wake up. Good sleep is linked to improved mood, brain performance, and overall health.
• Limit Alcohol Intake: Alcohol should be consumed in moderation and safely. Long-term alcohol use is linked with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer. It may also lead to risky sexual relations, motor vehicle crashes, and violence.
• Manage Mental Health: There are many ways you can support your mental health, from self-care to practicing gratitude to regular meditation. By putting yourself first you are better able to support those around you.
• Keep Yourself Accountable: Whether you turn to a support group, your family and friends, or use an app, keeping yourself in line with your health goals is important.

How to Raise Awareness for Men’s Health Month

It’s easy to help raise awareness for Men’s Health Month this June and there are plenty of ways to do it too. Be sure to involve women and families if appropriate, as they are some of your biggest advocates and want you to stay healthy as well. While Black people may be disproportionately affected by some health conditions and struggle with the healthcare system for various reasons, Men’s Health Month is the ideal time to help create balance. Here’s how you can help:

• Wear Blue Day: In 2023, Wear Blue Day is celebrated on June 16th. The goal is to help raise awareness for men’s health, which will ultimately lead to longer, healthier lives.
• Share Your Support: Do you know someone who is struggling with their mental health, heart disease, or other condition? Many Black people suffer in silence. Take this opportunity to reach out and encourage them.
• Create an Awareness Campaign: There are many ways you can raise awareness through a campaign. Ask the HR department at work to set up an event, send out flyers within your local community, or write a letter to the editor at your newspaper.
• Join a Fundraiser: Is there a fundraiser happening nearby? Join that 5K walk, request sponsorship in the next food drive, or simply announce that you’ve made a donation to an organization and ask others to do the same.
• Start a Healthy Living Group: Do you know plenty of men who would benefit from going for regular walks, staying accountable on a healthy diet, or losing weight? Why not band together to make it happen?
• Organize a Health Fair: You can work with a local health clinic to advertise preventative screenings for prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and other conditions. Reach out to a few and see if they are interested in raising awareness for Men’s Health Month.
• Plan a Sports Day: Have your friends, family, and local communities come together for a sports day. Pay a small fee to play and send the proceeds to an organization who can use the funds to support men’s health.

Men’s Health And The Black Population: Raising Awareness

Black Health Matters stands with you in our efforts to raise awareness for men’s health. We encourage you to support those you love with health conditions such as heart disease or mental health diagnoses, share your own stories of hope and survival, and collaborate with peers this June to raise awareness for Men’s Health Month.