June is Men’s Health Month

Health District urges men to take control of their health and wellness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2024

LAS VEGAS — Observed each year during June, Men’s Health Month spotlights health and wellness issues faced by all men. Throughout the month, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) reminds men to take charge of their overall health by implementing health-centered decisions.

Men’s health issues will be front and center at an annual Shop Talk event later this month. “Shop Talk: Cut to the Chase” takes place Thursday, June 27, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Masterpiece Barber School, 3510 E. Bonanza, Las Vegas, NV 89110. Presented by the Barbershop Health Outreach Project in collaboration with the Men’s Room, the free event – for men only – will feature health care experts leading discussions on general men’s health, cardiovascular health, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer. Registration is encouraged; go to Shop Talk Presents – Get Healthy Clark County.

An estimated 13.8% of men in the United States are in fair or poor health, and women outlive men by nearly six years. Diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes affect men to a greater extent than women. While these conditions can, in many cases, be prevented through regular check-ups and healthy choices, men are much less likely than women to see a doctor or report symptoms to a health care provider.

Early detection through cancer and other health screenings are essential for improving survival rates and maintaining good health. With services including annual physicals, chronic disease care, and sick visits for minor illnesses, SNHD operates the Southern Nevada Community Health Center at the following locations:

280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107, open Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104, open Tuesday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

SNHD also urges men to check out the myriad prevention and self-management resources on the Get Healthy Clark County website. The site addresses many important health issues affecting men, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, smoking cessation and nutrition.

Tobacco use is just one health indicator where men fare worse than women. In Nevada and nationwide, more men than women smoke cigarettes and/or use electronic vapor products.Nationally, 13.1% of men currently smoke cigarettes and more than 250,000 men die every year from smoking. In Clark County, 15% of men smoked cigarettes in 2022. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Get Healthy Clark County offers significant free resources on quitting the habit, including the Nevada Tobacco Quitline.

The CDC’s cheat sheet on men’s health cancer screenings is a valuable resource that offers crucial information regarding the optimal timing for colon and lung cancer testing. Additionally, it advises talking with a primary care physician about screening options for prostate and skin cancer.

To manage risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, visit the Manage Your Risk section of the Get Healthy website. Visit the Community Calendar for a schedule of free blood pressure checks at participating barbershops.

For people with diabetes or prediabetes, SNHD offers free diabetes classes virtually or in-person. Visit GetHealthyClarkCounty.org for classes in English and VivaSaludable.org for classes in Spanish. Those who register will be added to a waiting list and will be invited to the next class when scheduled. A downloadable resource of low-cost clinics is also available on the Get Health Clark County website.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.