Men's Health Month spotlights masculine culture's healthcare impact

Yahoo

a day ago

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — June is Men's Health Awareness Month, and Dr. Brian Curtis from OSF HealthCare says it's an important time to recognize health challenges men face.
One of the key things Curtis says gets in the way of men's healthcare is masculine culture. He says it can often be a challenge to get men to see their doctors.
'They just do not get in to get checked, they ignore stuff, and they dismiss stuff,' he said.
Curtis also said that, in addition to regular checkups, men should be aware of the screenings recommended as they age. That includes colon cancer screenings, which are recommended for those aged 45 and up, and prostate cancer screenings for those aged 50 and up. He also says men should start to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked starting in their 20s.
Another thing men should be mindful of is their mental health. It's a topic that, according to Curtis, many men ignore or don't feel comfortable discussing.
'It's not really recognized,' he told us. 'It's a big stigma, the whole 'macho attitude' thing.'
Curtis also said that when men attempt suicide, they're four times more likely to die than women. And their attempts also tend to be more violent.
The key to helping men address mental health needs, Curtis said, is opening a dialogue with them. He recommends people speak up if they see someone stressed out or losing interest in things they used to enjoy, and allow them the space to talk about how they're feeling.
Ultimately, it may come down to loved ones to get men to seek care. Curtis said when he was a practicing physician, he often heard one particular refrain.
'I'd be like, 'how can I help you today?' And they'd go 'I don't know, my wife made me come,'' Curtis recounted.
Love WMBD This Morning? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our Daily Newsletter.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.