Who Needs You? Why Men’s Health Is About More Than Just You
Men’s Health Month – Protecting the Fathers, Brothers, Sons, and Leaders Our Communities Depend OnJune is Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique health challenges facing men and encouraging early detection, preventive care, and healthier lifestyles.
But this year, let’s ask a different question.
The Hidden Epidemic: Loneliness and Isolation
One of the fastest-growing public health concerns among men is loneliness.
As men age:
- Friendships often decline.
- Social circles shrink.
- Work becomes the primary source of connection.
- Retirement can increase isolation.
Research increasingly shows that loneliness can have health effects comparable to smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
Strong social connections improve:
- Mental health
- Cardiovascular health
- Longevity
- Quality of life
Community matters.
Brotherhood matters.
Connection matters.
Small Changes. Big Impact.
The good news?
Improving health does not require perfection.
Small, consistent actions create meaningful change.
Start Here
Schedule an annual physical
Check your blood pressure
Get recommended screenings
Exercise at least 150 minutes per week
Improve your diet
Prioritize sleep
Reduce alcohol and tobacco use
Talk openly about stress and mental health
Stay connected with family and friends
The Mental Health Conversation Men Need to Have
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of men’s health is mental health.
Many men are taught from an early age:
- Don’t cry.
- Be strong.
- Handle it yourself.
- Keep moving.
While resilience is valuable, emotional suppression can be dangerous.
Men experience:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Burnout
- Trauma
- Loneliness
Yet they are far less likely to seek professional help.
The consequences can be devastating.
Mental health challenges affect physical health, relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life.
Seeking help is not weakness. It is wisdom.
DMV Resources for Men’s Health
Howard University Hospital Men’s Health Initiative
Provides screenings, education, and preventive services.
MedStar Health Men’s Health Services
Comprehensive preventive and specialty care.
Inova Men’s Health Program
Maryland Department of Health
DC Health
Virginia Department of Health
National Resources
Men’s Health Network
https://www.menshealthnetwork.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/mens-health
American Heart Association
Prostate Cancer Foundation
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
Who Needs You?
- Your spouse?
- Your children?
- Your grandchildren?
- Your aging parents?
- Your friends?
- Your community?
Too often, men think about health only when something goes wrong.
We work through pain.
We ignore symptoms.
We postpone appointments.
We convince ourselves we’ll “get around to it later.”
Unfortunately, later doesn’t always come.
At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we believe men’s health is about more than living longer. It is about remaining present for the people who depend on us and continuing to contribute to the communities we love.
Because the greatest legacy we leave behind is not what we accumulate.
It is how long we remain present.
The Crisis Few Men Talk About
Men are significantly less likely than women to seek preventive healthcare.
According to the CDC:
- Men are less likely to have a primary care physician.
- Men are less likely to receive routine preventive screenings.
- Men are more likely to delay seeking medical attention.
- Men die at higher rates from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and unintentional injuries.
- Men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the United States.
Perhaps most concerning, many of these deaths are preventable.
The challenge isn’t simply disease.
The challenge is silence.
By the Numbers: Men’s Health in America
The statistics tell a sobering story:
- Men live approximately five years fewer than women on average.
- Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men.
- One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
- More than 38 million American men have high blood pressure.
- Nearly half of adult men are obese.
- Millions struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, yet many never seek help.
Health Disparities Among Black Men
Black men experience higher rates of:
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Prostate cancer mortality
- Cardiovascular disease
These disparities are driven by a combination of biological, social, economic, and healthcare-access factors.
The result is clear:
Far too many men are dying years before they should.
A Story That Hits Home: Michael’s Wake-Up Call
Michael was 52 years old.
A husband.
A father of three.
A respected leader in his church.
The kind of man everyone depended on.
For years, he ignored his health.
He worked long hours, rarely exercised, and had not seen a physician in nearly a decade.
Whenever his wife encouraged him to schedule a physical, he always gave the same response:
“I’m fine. I’ve got too much to do.”
Then one morning, while getting ready for work, Michael collapsed.
The diagnosis was severe hypertension that had gone untreated for years and had ultimately led to a stroke.
Fortunately, Michael survived.
But recovery was long and difficult.
Today he tells every man he meets:
“I thought taking care of everyone else was my responsibility. What I didn’t realize was that taking care of myself was part of that responsibility.”
Heart Disease: The Silent Killer
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men.
The problem is that many men do not know they have risk factors until serious complications occur.
High blood pressure often causes no symptoms.
High cholesterol often causes no symptoms.
Early diabetes may cause no symptoms.
Yet all three quietly damage the body for years.
Know Your Numbers
Every man should know:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar levels
- Weight and BMI
- Family health history
Preventive care is not about finding problems.
It is about preventing them.
Cancer Screening Saves Lives
Many cancers are highly treatable when detected early.
Men should discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare provider, including:
Prostate Cancer
Especially important for:
- Black men
- Men with a family history of prostate cancer
Colon Cancer
Screening generally begins at age 45.
Lung Cancer
Recommended for current and former heavy smokers.
Skin Cancer
Regular skin examinations and awareness of changing lesions.
Too many men wait until symptoms appear.
By then, valuable time may already be lost.
Final Thoughts: Who Needs You?
Before you move on with your day, pause and think about the people who would be impacted if you were no longer here.
Your spouse. Your children. Your grandchildren. Your parents. Your friends. Your community.
The truth is that most men don’t take care of themselves for themselves.
They take care of themselves when they realize who is counting on them. This Men’s Health Month, don’t wait for a crisis. Schedule the appointment. Get the screening.
Start the walk. Have the conversation.
Because your health is not just about you.
It’s about everyone who needs you.
Dr. Bertrand Fote, MD, MBA, FACEP, CF²
Emergency Medicine Physician
Health Equity Advocate
The Gatsby Showcase Foundation
Who Needs You?
- Your spouse?
- Your children?
- Your grandchildren?
- Your aging parents?
- Your friends?
- Your community?
Too often, men think about health only when something goes wrong.
We work through pain.
We ignore symptoms.
We postpone appointments.
We convince ourselves we’ll “get around to it later.”
Unfortunately, later doesn’t always come.
At The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, we believe men’s health is about more than living longer. It is about remaining present for the people who depend on us and continuing to contribute to the communities we love.
Because the greatest legacy we leave behind is not what we accumulate.
It is how long we remain present.
The Crisis Few Men Talk About
Men are significantly less likely than women to seek preventive healthcare.
According to the CDC:
- Men are less likely to have a primary care physician.
- Men are less likely to receive routine preventive screenings.
- Men are more likely to delay seeking medical attention.
- Men die at higher rates from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and unintentional injuries.
- Men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the United States.
Perhaps most concerning, many of these deaths are preventable.
The challenge isn’t simply disease.
The challenge is silence.
By the Numbers: Men’s Health in America
The statistics tell a sobering story:
- Men live approximately five years fewer than women on average.
- Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men.
- One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
- More than 38 million American men have high blood pressure.
- Nearly half of adult men are obese.
- Millions struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, yet many never seek help.
Health Disparities Among Black Men
Black men experience higher rates of:
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Prostate cancer mortality
- Cardiovascular disease
These disparities are driven by a combination of biological, social, economic, and healthcare-access factors.
The result is clear:
Far too many men are dying years before they should.
A Story That Hits Home: Michael’s Wake-Up Call
Michael was 52 years old.
A husband.
A father of three.
A respected leader in his church.
The kind of man everyone depended on.
For years, he ignored his health.
He worked long hours, rarely exercised, and had not seen a physician in nearly a decade.
Whenever his wife encouraged him to schedule a physical, he always gave the same response:
“I’m fine. I’ve got too much to do.”
Then one morning, while getting ready for work, Michael collapsed.
The diagnosis was severe hypertension that had gone untreated for years and had ultimately led to a stroke.
Fortunately, Michael survived.
But recovery was long and difficult.
Today he tells every man he meets:
“I thought taking care of everyone else was my responsibility. What I didn’t realize was that taking care of myself was part of that responsibility.”
Heart Disease: The Silent Killer
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men.
The problem is that many men do not know they have risk factors until serious complications occur.
High blood pressure often causes no symptoms.
High cholesterol often causes no symptoms.
Early diabetes may cause no symptoms.
Yet all three quietly damage the body for years.
Know Your Numbers
Every man should know:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar levels
- Weight and BMI
- Family health history
Preventive care is not about finding problems.
It is about preventing them.
Cancer Screening Saves Lives
Many cancers are highly treatable when detected early.
Men should discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare provider, including:
Prostate Cancer
Especially important for:
- Black men
- Men with a family history of prostate cancer
Colon Cancer
Screening generally begins at age 45.
Lung Cancer
Recommended for current and former heavy smokers.
Skin Cancer
Regular skin examinations and awareness of changing lesions.
Too many men wait until symptoms appear.
By then, valuable time may already be lost.
The Mental Health Conversation Men Need to Have
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of men’s health is mental health.
Many men are taught from an early age:
- Don’t cry.
- Be strong.
- Handle it yourself.
- Keep moving.
While resilience is valuable, emotional suppression can be dangerous.
Men experience:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Burnout
- Trauma
- Loneliness
Yet they are far less likely to seek professional help.
The consequences can be devastating.
Mental health challenges affect physical health, relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life.
Seeking help is not weakness. It is wisdom.
The Hidden Epidemic: Loneliness and Isolation
One of the fastest-growing public health concerns among men is loneliness.
As men age:
- Friendships often decline.
- Social circles shrink.
- Work becomes the primary source of connection.
- Retirement can increase isolation.
Research increasingly shows that loneliness can have health effects comparable to smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
Strong social connections improve:
- Mental health
- Cardiovascular health
- Longevity
- Quality of life
Community matters.
Brotherhood matters.
Connection matters.
Small Changes. Big Impact.
The good news?
Improving health does not require perfection.
Small, consistent actions create meaningful change.
Start Here
Schedule an annual physical
Check your blood pressure
Get recommended screenings
Exercise at least 150 minutes per week
Improve your diet
Prioritize sleep
Reduce alcohol and tobacco use
Talk openly about stress and mental health
Stay connected with family and friends
DMV Resources for Men’s Health
Howard University Hospital Men’s Health Initiative
Provides screenings, education, and preventive services.
MedStar Health Men’s Health Services
Comprehensive preventive and specialty care.
Inova Men’s Health Program
Maryland Department of Health
DC Health
Virginia Department of Health
National Resources
Men’s Health Network
https://www.menshealthnetwork.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/mens-health
American Heart Association
Prostate Cancer Foundation
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
Final Thoughts: Who Needs You?
Before you move on with your day, pause and think about the people who would be impacted if you were no longer here.
Your spouse.
Your children.
Your grandchildren.
Your parents.
Your friends.
Your community.
The truth is that most men don’t take care of themselves for themselves.
They take care of themselves when they realize who is counting on them.
This Men’s Health Month, don’t wait for a crisis.
Schedule the appointment.
Get the screening.
Start the walk.
Have the conversation.
Because your health is not just about you.
It’s about everyone who needs you.
Dr. Bertrand Fote, MD, MBA, FACEP, CF²
Emergency Medicine Physician
Health Equity Advocate
The Gatsby Showcase Foundation