Get routine health checks
Men can improve their health and lessen their risk of diseases such as cancer and heart disease by making healthy food choices, staying active, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, getting regular medical checkups, taking care of their mental health, periodic dental visits, and staying up to date on vaccines.
Seeing a doctor for regular checkups and following through on recommended screening tests can identify diseases early when they are easier to treat. Men are encouraged to Take Charge of Your Health and get routine checkups!
Read this ARTICLE for recommended screening tests for men based on age and personal risk factors. Additional guidance is here.
Men should:
- Stay on top of routine dental, vision, and hearing exams.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about getting routine screening exams for skin and colon cancer, and having any mental health concerns addressed.
- Talk to your health provider about getting about tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) .
Measure your fitness
Aerobic capacity (Vo2 max), % Body Fat, blood pressure and metabolic rate are key measures of your health that can be determined for
free at a local
Army Wellness Center (AWC). Based on your results, AWC staff will help you tailor a specific plan to improve your fitness, sleep and nutrition habits.
Monitor your weight
A basic fitness requirement of all Soldiers is to meet Army weight standards (AR 600-9: The Army Weight Control Program). Your height and weight are used to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), a useful screening indicator for body weight as an important factor for overall health. Read DCPH-A's
BMI Factsheet.
