In honor of Men’s Health Week, it’s time to take a look at the top health threats to the men in our lives.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a list of the ten leading killers of American men in 2003 (the most recent data available to the public). The top five were responsible for more than sixty percent of all male deaths that year.
- Heart disease. The number one killer, responsible for approximately twenty-eight percent of all male deaths in 2003. Choosing a healthy lifestyle — including regular exercise and a balanced diet — is a good way to keep heart disease at bay. Read more about heart disease and its risk factors.
- Cancer. A close second, responsible for approximately twenty-four percent of all male deaths in 2003. Lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer were the three biggest culprits. Quit smoking and get regular check-ups to catch cancer early — when it is most treatable.
- Unintentional/accidental injuries. A distant third; only six percent of all male deaths in 2003. Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause — so make sure you wear your seatbelt and drive safely, obeying all traffic laws.
- Stroke. Tied for fourth with approximately five percent of all male deaths in 2003. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke; take care of your blood pressure and reduce your stroke risk.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Also responsible for about five percent of all male deaths in 2003. COPD covers several lung conditions, like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In many of these diseases, smoking is the main cause — so if you’re thinking about quitting, now is a good time to do it.
Keep in mind that these statistics are for all men, but may not be as large a health threat at different times in a man’s life. In young and middle-aged men, for example, AIDS makes the top ten killers list. In men between 45 and 54 and men over 65, for example, heart disease is the number one killer. In men under 44, accidents have the number one spot.
Your risk level can vary based on age, race, family history, and a bunch of other factors. Talk to a doctor if you are concerned about your loved one’s health, and do all that you can to lead a healthy lifestyle. Making good health a way of life can help the men we love live long beyond the average life expectancy of 75.