Dear Healthy Men: You talk about a lot of health issues where men’s concerns are overlooked or ignored. But what about crime? We all know that men commit the majority of crimes and we often hear about female victims of crime. But why don’t we hear about male victims? A: Excellent questions. But since the word...Continue reading
Dear Healthy Men: I just read that the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) is recommending against men and boys doing testicular self-exams. What could possibly be wrong with educating young men about how to examine themselves for early signs of cancer? A: I agree completely—and I’m far from alone. In fact, an entire coalition...Continue reading
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, ensuring one’s physical health became the priority. As the toll of social distancing and prolonged stay-in-place orders have shown, the importance of addressing mental health and well-being is integral to our COVID-19 response for all, but particularly for people of color. Minority communities across the nation have experienced greater rates...Continue reading
I grew up in an affirming faith community that had an AIDS outreach ministry in the early 1990s, which was a radical move during that period and a statement that I hope helps frame my story. For 16 years, HIV has been a major part of my life. Though my HIV status is negative, I...Continue reading
Women have been trimming (or removing outright) their pubic hair for thousands of years. Men generally enjoy the results (in a recent study by askmen.com, 41% of men said they prefer women with no pubic hair at all, while 38% said they prefer a nice trim), but they’ve traditionally remained shaggier than their women. That,...Continue reading
Intense rigor and standards make up the core values of scientific research and medical progress. Though a sequential, slow and arduous process, this empirical approach has become the standard because of the track record of safety and reassurance it has institutionalized when medical advances are brought to market. Yet, for public health issues in desperate...Continue reading
More men experienced mental health crises and suicidal ideation during the pandemic lockdown than in previous years, according to a recent mental health report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Social isolation and environmental stress also led to a rise in substance abuse— a common coping mechanism for many depressed and anxious men. ...Continue reading
Physical pain brings little judgement from others upon the person suffering. A man’s strength does not come into question when he grimaces in pain from his broken leg. The content of his character and his place within his community do not stand in judgement as he struggles to recover. Yet what of injuries that...Continue reading
It is with great sorrow that Men’s Health Network (MHN) learned of the passing of a great American, former Senator Bob Dole, in the early morning of December 5, 2021. His record of illustrious service to his country is underscored with bravery, humility and compassion for his fellow Americans. He will be sorely missed, but...Continue reading
Adults’ dietary patterns often reflect habits that they established during childhood and adolescence. Sometimes, this means carrying unhealthy habits into adulthood — but it’s never too late to make changes. Health professionals can use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 to support adults in following a healthy dietary pattern, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a...Continue reading