Dr. Joshua Carpenter, hospitalist at OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center and U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, joins WGIL's Chris Postin on Galesburg In Focus during Men’s Health Month. Dr. Carpenter discusses critical health challenges for men, emphasizing early detection, healthy habits, and mental well-being to protect dads, grandfathers, and father-figures.
Topics covered include:
Men’s Health Crisis
- Men die younger than women, with over 60% avoiding doctor visits even when suspecting issues, due to stigma, fear, or an “invincibility complex,” especially among military-trained men.
- Dr. Carpenter reassures: “I don’t worry about the problem I know about... It’s the problem we don’t know about that’s smoldering.”
The Big Four Risks
- Heart disease, the #1 killer of men, alongside rising cancers (prostate, lung, colorectal), diabetes, and mental health challenges dominate men’s health risks.
- Mental health stigma persists, but asking for help is “a sign of strength” that prevents long-term issues.
Mental and Physical Health Connection
- Mental and physical health are inseparable; untreated behavioral issues increase hospital stays by 33% and readmissions by 2–3 times.
- PTSD and stress acclimation, from combat or tough decisions, can manifest physically, requiring proactive care.
Screenings Save Lives
- Age-specific screenings: blood pressure and cholesterol for younger men, colon cancer at 45, prostate PSA tests at 50.
- Early detection transforms outcomes, e.g., catching colon polyps vs. tumors, despite stigma around tests.
Lifestyle Medicine
- Simple changes: 30-minute daily walks, strength training, whole foods, better sleep, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol intake.
- Community connections and family support, like joining doctor visits, boost mental and physical health.
Call to Action
- Families and employers play a role: gently encourage checkups, leverage wellness programs for screenings or health trackers.
- Dr. Carpenter urges men: “Be proactive... be strong” to live healthier for their loved ones.
