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The IDEA committee used June to highlight Men's Health Awareness, as a part of its commitment to well-being in all aspects of life and inclusivity.
Shandel Johnson sent out informative emails highlighting several men's health conditions to educate and provide awareness on conditions such as Lupus.
One aspect of men's health that is being highlighted in a lot of the literature for men's health awareness is that men often suffer the amplification of their physical health conditions by their mental and social health issues at a disproportionately high rate.
The decline in close friendships, for one, among Americans has disproportionately affected men. In 1990, 55% of men had six or more close friends. Today, about 27% report that number.
Meanwhile, the number of men with no close friends has gone from around 3% in the 90's to 15% today.
Social bonds and loneliness have profound impacts on overall health and can shorten one's lifespan. Chronic loneliness can harm cardiovascular health, and increase the likelihood of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Some studies even suggest
that the health risks of loneliness may be comparable to those of smoking. All of this points to why Men's Health Month is important as it increases awareness of these often-overlooked issues.
Here are some sources that go more in-depth on this topic:
Here are some sources that go more in-depth on this topic:
Lifespan: The Importance of Men's Health Month
The Economist: Men and Loneliness
Men's Health: "The Truth About Men's Loneliness"
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