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June 2014
Mom Was Right About the Ounce of Prevention
By Christie Bourg
Former President Bill Clinton signed into law
“An ounce of prevention is worth a Men’s Health Awareness month, an awareness period in
June designed to encourage communities to promote
pound of cure.”
health fairs, health screenings, media appearances, and
other activities related to Men’s Health.
We’ve heard moms say it over and over
How can we help the men in our lives become
again. Those nagging comments about getting
healthier, live longer, and make more great
sick. Remarks such as “don’t play
memories? Nagging is an option. But a
in the rain, you’ll catch a cold!”
more effective way is probably through
or “don’t crack your knuckles,
promoting education and awareness.
you’ll get arthritis!” may not
The Oakwood West Jefferson
exactly have been scientifically
Fitness Center in Gretna is hosting a
accurate, but we got the message:
Men’s Fitness Center Night on June 19th
stay healthy!
at 5pm. There will be team competitions,
As we grow up and
free health screenings, free bbq dinners
become adults, we’re left to our
and snacks, and an awesome door prize!
own discretion as to how we
This free event is open to men 18 and over,
remain healthy. In most cases, the
and registration is required. Call 349-1789
women are the gatekeepers of
to register.
healthcare for families. They
Encourage the men in your life to take control of
make sure the kids get their checkups and are
their health by getting a yearly check up from their health
seen by a doctor when they are ill. But many men
are not so willing to go. Some men find excuses care providers. Their best chance of avoiding health
problems that afflict men are prevention, self
to not visit the doctor: “We don’t have the
examination, and regular physician visits, even if they are
money,” or “I can’t take off work,” or “I’m not
not sick! Regular screening can catch many health
THAT sick.” The result is shorter life spans,
problems in an early stage, when treatment is most likely
more diseases, and more serious illnesses than
to be successful.
their female counterparts.
Help the men in your life to prepare their ounce
of prevention, so they can avoid the pound of cure.
For more information about
Men’s Health Month, visit
MensHealthMonth.org