Though prioritizing health is important, men are less likely to have a primary care provider as compared to women. 30% of all men compared with 19% of all women, do not have a primary care provider. This statistic is alarming since it is a known fact that Black men, in particular, face unique health disparities and challenges. Therefore, to assist your male loved ones in their health transformation, please share these helpful tidbits.
Make the appointment
Everyone needs a primary care provider. This health professional will make sure you are up to date on your preventative screenings. Having specialists to address specific health needs or complicated health conditions is sometimes needed but does not negate having a primary care doctor as part of your health team. It is important to find a healthcare provider you trust and with whom you feel comfortable.
Get the blood work
Certain blood work is recommended for all adults and some tests are needed for certain conditions. All adults should routinely be screened for diabetes and high cholesterol. These tests are best done fasting, meaning before you have eaten or had anything to drink but water. Save the excuses about having a needle phobia because you obviously were not fearful when you got all of those tattoos and piercings.
Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. The cancer presents earlier, is more aggressive, and is often found at later stages as compared to other racial identities. Though the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is not a perfect test, it is often used as an indicator of prostate problems. An elevated PSA can be seen in prostate cancer but also in individuals with an enlarged prostate or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland). That is why men must speak with their providers about when and if they should be screened.
Get your blood pressure checked
In the United States, about 55% of Black adults have hypertension. That is over half of all black adults! Therefore, the likelihood that your male family member or friend has elevated blood pressure readings is high. So, getting your blood pressure checked is crucial. Ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Certain symptoms like headaches and dizziness may accompany high blood pressure, but not always. Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer.
Uncontrolled hypertension is not benign. It causes a host of problems. Hypertension causes microscopic damage to your eyes, heart, kidneys, and blood vessels, just to name a few. Black people make up 13% of the US population, but 35% of the people with end-stage kidney disease. The number one risk factor for end stage kidney disease is uncontrolled blood pressure.
Getting diagnosed with hypertension is step one. Step two is actually getting treated. Lifestyle changes such as a low salt diet and exercise in addition to taking medication may be needed.
Check on your mental health
Black men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to stigma. Seeking help for mental health is no different than seeking help for physical issues. Having more men openly speak about normalizing the importance of mental health could be a huge game changer in the Black community.
Early detection and prevention save lives. Regular check-ups are vital. The community needs the Black men in our lives to be healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Denise Hooks-Anderson, MD, FAAFP can be contacted at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com