The Epidemic—and Consequences—of Male Loneliness
Loneliness kills. According to former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, isolation and weak social connections “are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking fifteen cigarettes a day and even greater than that associated with obesity.”...
When It Comes to Stereotypes, Words Matter. A Lot.
A few days ago, I heard a young father telling his son—who was probably around 10 or 11—to “man up.” I started thinking about that phrase and wondered about all the gender stereotyping we do without even realizing it. Are expressions like “man up” harmless parts of or...
How to Save Your Husband’s Life
Dear Healthy Men: I love my family, but I’m very frustrated about having to manage almost everyone’s health. While my daughter and I schedule our own doctor visits and mammograms, my husband and two teenage sons never do. In fact, I just spent half the morning making...
Will Having More Sex Make Me Happier?
Dear Healthy Men: What’s the right amount of sex for a couple to have to ensure a happy relationship? A: Most of us would agree that a heathy sex life is an important component of any romantic relationship. So it seems logical to assume that there would be a positive...
Is There Really A Men’s Health Crisis?
Dear Healthy Men: Why do you keep writing about men’s health, when everyone knows that the health issues women face are far bigger? All you’re doing is taking money away from women’s health to give it to men. A: There’s no question that much can—and should—be done to...
Health Disparities: Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?
On average, men’s lives are less healthy—and shorter—than women’s. This health disparity exists in part because women take better care of themselves than men do. But several recent studies have found that in many cases, a man and a woman with the exact same condition...
Why Are We Ignoring the Epidemic of White Male Suicides?
Dear Healthy Men: You recently wrote about a CDC report that supposedly showed that males are more likely than females to commit suicide. Well, my 19-year-old niece recently killed herself and I just saw the new CDC report on youth suicides, which said that the...
Men and Belly Fat: A Bad Combination
Call it what you will: beer belly, love handles, gut, spare tire, or anything else. Whatever the words, they’re all referring to the same thing: belly fat, which is one of the most common types of fat for men. As you’ve no doubt noticed, as we gain weight, our thighs,...
Do You Need More Testosterone?
Testosterone has taken a beating lately. We all know that it’s the hormone that makes guys, well, guys. It’s also associated with ultra-macho, boorish behavior, excessive body hair, and other unwanted things. That said, it’s still an essential hormone for men (and for...
