HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is encouraging men in the community to prioritize their health during June, recognized nationally as Men’s Health Month.

• The hospital is asking dads, grandfathers, sons and the people who love them to schedule cancer screenings and annual checkups with a primary care doctor, steps providers say can make a significant difference in long-term health outcomes.

Healthcare providers say many men delay routine care or skip medical appointments until symptoms become serious. Preventive screenings can catch heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer earlier, when treatment options are broader.

“Men often put the needs of their families, careers and responsibilities ahead of their own health,” said Dr. Dan Hagler, Chief Medical Officer with HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “National Men’s Health Month provides a timely reminder that taking care of yourself is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. Preventive screenings and healthy lifestyle habits can help identify health concerns early, when they are often easier to treat.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States. More than half of adult men have high blood pressure, and nearly 40% are living with obesity.

HCA Florida Healthcare physicians recommend men talk with their healthcare provider about age-appropriate screenings, including:

• Annual blood pressure checks
• Cholesterol testing based on age and risk factors
• Diabetes screening beginning at age 45 or earlier for those at increased risk
• Colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45
• Prostate cancer screening discussions beginning around age 45
• Mental health evaluations when experiencing symptoms of stress
• Anxiety or depression
• Routine wellness exams throughout adulthood

The hospital is also pointing men to a free online Heart Health Assessment that walks users through cardiovascular risk factors and indicates whether further medical evaluation may be warranted.

“Many men don’t realize they have risk factors for heart disease until they experience a major health event,” Hagler said. “A simple health assessment and routine screening can provide valuable information and help people take action before problems develop.”