June 19, 2025 – As Men’s Health Month concludes, U.S. health agencies and providers are amplifying efforts to encourage routine medical checkups and mental wellness among men. This month of heightened awareness coincides with renewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that men in the United States are less likely than women to see a doctor and are at greater risk for chronic illnesses.
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) recently urged men to schedule annual checkups, highlighting that heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and male suicide rates are nearly four times higher than those of women. Lesley Jimenez, statewide wellness coordinator, emphasized, “as we age, the risk increases for common conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes—all of which can be prevented or managed with appropriate care and early detection.”
The White House underscored these issues in a June 13 statement marking National Men’s Health Week (June 9–15). The presidential message reminded men they live five years less on average than women, experience first heart attacks about a decade earlier, and are disproportionately affected by loneliness and substance overdose. It also noted that recent executive actions aim to enhance medication access, promote affordable healthcare, and improve overall patient wellbeing, as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
Nationwide, grassroots campaigns and institutions are leveraging social media toolkits, blue ribbon pledges, and “Wear Blue Day” events to champion men’s health. The National Men’s Health Month website offers customizable social media kits to facilitate sharing key health messages throughout June.
The CDC’s FastStats portal provides a sobering snapshot of men’s health in 2023: approximately 14.7% of adult men report fair or poor health; only 28.3% meet federal physical activity guidelines; nearly 40% of adult men are obese; and over half have high blood pressure. These figures highlight the urgent need for routine screenings.
Healthcare systems such as BayCare recommend comprehensive preventive strategies: maintaining hydration, limiting alcohol, discouraging tobacco use, and ensuring adequate sleep between seven and nine hours nightly. LCMC Health and Frederick Health emphasize mental health alongside physical checkups, noting that nearly one in five adult men experience mental health issues, yet few seek treatment. Frederick Health’s Dr. Scarlet Louis‑Jean urged men to “schedule overdue physicals,” eat healthily, and walk regularly, stressing that “preventive care works. It saves lives.”
Preventive care guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggest annual blood pressure screenings beginning at age 18, cholesterol checks every 4–6 years for men over 20, and colon cancer screening from age 45 onward. Frederick Health underscores the importance of regular urology care to detect early signs of prostate issues, erectile dysfunction, and urinary conditions .
The Men’s Health Network and NAFC (National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics) focus on reducing structural barriers, offering low-cost or no-cost services to uninsured or underserved men. NAFC’s network—over 1,400 clinics nationwide—provided services to more than 1.7 million patients in 2024 and is expanding its reach this year.
Mental health remains a priority. The White House called out the rising toll of male suicide and overdose deaths during National Men’s Health Week. The CDC notes that men are four times more likely to die by suicide compared to women. Providers recommend open dialogue: patients should feel empowered to discuss anxiety, depression, or stress with their primary care provider, and access support services such as crisis hotlines and counseling .
Various states have implemented targeted programs: Texas HHS issued state-level alerts reinforcing heart, cholesterol, diabetes, and mental health screenings. Similarly, Harris County Public Health in Houston encouraged men to bundle checkups with Father’s Day activities, aiming to shift family traditions toward preventive wellness.
Advocates emphasize that Men’s Health Month is more than a symbolic calendar moment—it’s a catalyst for action. The combination of social media momentum, healthcare outreach, free clinic access, and public health campaigns aim to reverse trends of delayed care and preventable illness.
As June comes to a close, the message is clear: proactive care—through annual checkups, regular screenings, healthy lifestyle habits, and mental health awareness—can narrow the life expectancy gap between men and women. The final weeks of Men’s Health Month represent a crucial juncture for men to take meaningful actions toward lasting well‑being.