Baton Rouge General (BRG) is launching The Healthy Men Project to encourage men ages 30-50 to be more proactive about their health and set goals that work for them. The new campaign will begin with a July 24 kick-off event at BRG’s Bluebonnet campus from 8-11 a.m. The free event will combine the “need-to-do” tasks like health screenings and Ask the Expert stations with some “fun-to-do” stuff, including climbing demos, bloody Mary and vodka tastings, putting and batting contests, and more.
“We know that men tend to delay seeking healthcare and ignore their symptoms, so just thinking and talking about their health is a huge first step for a lot of men,” said Benjamin Levron, MD. “Joining The Healthy Men Project is not just about lowering your blood pressure or losing a few pounds. There are a lot of ways to start making healthier choices, like drinking less alcohol, checking in on your mental health, or investing in a treadmill.”
After the kick-off event, enrollment in The Healthy Men Project will continue through August, with the project heading into full swing in September. Participants will receive regular e-mail check-ins with health tips, local perks, and an easy way to share the progress they’ve made, no matter how big or small. They’ll also have access to a host of benefits, from a t-shirt and nutrition consult to free classes and hydration therapy discounts. By sharing a step they’re taking to get healthier each month, participants will be entered to win the grand prize – a Traeger grill – as well as gift cards along the way.
Sixty-five percent of men say they avoid going to the doctor as long as possible. Experts attribute this tendency to various reasons, but two big ones are stigmas and the “superhero syndrome.” Many men buy into the stigma that they should be strong enough to handle things on their own. They may convince themselves that seeing a doctor is a sign of weakness and that their condition will improve on its own.
“Plus, many men 40 and under assume they are healthy, not considering they could have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, which are both risk factors for heart disease and stroke if they’re not under control,” added Levron.
In an annual Cleveland Clinic survey, most men (82%) said they try to stay healthy to live longer for family and friends who rely on them, yet only half report that they’re getting that all-important preventative care.