Men in India are facing a multitude of health challenges: Dr Purohit

Lucknow/New Delhi : As the International Men’s Health Week, observed every year from until Today, is being,  talked about around the globe, it is high time for men to prioritize their health. “ Men in India are facing a multitude of health challenges.
Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and depression are the top male killers.These statistics are alarming and serve as a wake-up call for men to take proactive measures to safeguard their health” said Dr Naresh Purohit , Principal Investigator for the National Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme .

Voicing his concern here on this issue to the reporters after addressing a programme for “Awareness On Men’s Health” organised by the Lucknow based King George’s Medical University, renowned Epidemiologist Dr Purohit said that
obesity is a growing problem in India, with one in 25 men affected. This condition increases the risk of developing other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

“Infertility is a growing problem for couples in India, with infertility cases affecting 50% of men. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child after one year of unprotected sex.”he said

Dr Purohit also Advisor-National Mental Health Programme pointed out that compared to women, men are less likely to seek help for mental health concerns. “This results in a high number of undiagnosed and untreated conditions like depression and anxiety,” he added

He averred that men are more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes, even at a lower weight compared to women.
“Recent studies show a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in men compared to women. Men are also diagnosed with the condition at a younger age and with a lower body mass index,” he added

He stated that men die in accidents about twice as often as women and mortality due to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is three times the rate of women. Men are likely to engage in more high-risk behaviors and work at more dangerous occupations which makes them more vulnerable. To top it all, men are less informed about health issues, less likely to utilize preventive and healthcare services, suffer from the effects of substance abuse at a higher rate , have a greater tendency to engage in antisocial behavior and are more likely to be uninsured, lack a social support network and be homeless.
Average men live about 3-5 years less than women. Men lead in 9 out of the top ten causes of death.

Experts averred that a balanced diet rich in nutrients, physical activity and stress management reduces chronic disease risk and promotes overall well-being in men.

They emphasised that by making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight, men can significantly reduce their risk of developing these chronic diseases.

“It is also important for men to get regular check-ups with their doctor to detect any health problems early on. Early detection and treatment can improve the chances of successful treatment.” they added.

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*Dr. Naresh Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist, Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state organizations.)

Dr.  Purohit is also Principal Investigator for the Association of Studies For Kidney Care.