Men's Health

Last Updated: May 02, 2025

The estimated average lifespan for men is just about 75 years, which is over ​​five years less than for women.External Link 

Shorter lifespans are due at least in part to unhealthy habits among men which decreases their fighting strength and increases their risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease and cancer later in life. Men should modify their behaviors to reduce the impacts to their health while on active duty as well as risks of future fatal health conditions. 

Bad health habits among​ men​​

Seven common unhealthy habit​s ​among adult men in the U.S.​External Link include: 

  1. Alcohol consumption and binge drinking​​.External Link​ Almost a third of U.S men 18 and over reported drinking 5 or more drinks in a day at least once in the past year​. 

  2. Inadequate physic​​al activity​.External Link The majority of the U.S. male population 18 years of age and over does not get the recommended weekly aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises. Aerobic activity is 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. Muscle-strengthening activity as with weights, is 2 times a week. 

    How does the military measure fitness? In accordance with the Department of Defense March 10, 2022 policy on body composition​External Link (DODI 1308.03: DOD Physical Fitness/Body Composition Program), acceptable fitness or body composition range for active-duty service members is a percent of a person's body fat, or “%BF" – a scientifically valid physical indicator for assessing health status. The policy differentiates standards for men and women due to well-established physiological sex differences in body fat. Active-duty men must maintain %BF between 18 and 26, and women must maintain %BF between 26 and 36

  3. Smoking. Over 12% of adult men in the U.S. still report smoking. In recent years this habit is being replaced by 'vaping' and e-cigarettes.External Link Though studies are still early, vaping risks may be greater than with cigarettes due to additional chemicals in the products. 

  4. Obesity. Over a third of U.S adult men are obese – this impacts military enlistment injury rates and more. Read more about military weight and body mass index (BMI) in this factsheet.​

  5. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Defined as elevated blood pressure and/or taking antihypertensive medication, an estimated one half of U.S adult men have hypertension. Though often associated with being overweight or obese, even average and low weight adults may have this condition – a doctor can tell you!

  6. Not getting regular health screenings. Men may have poorer health because they are less likely to get regular medical check-ups or seek medical evaluation as soon as they have a problem. Seeing a doctor for regular check-ups 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 check-ups.External Link For recommended screening tests for men based on age and personal risk factors read this ARTICLEExternal Link​ and guidance here.External Link​  ​​

  7. Not practicing safe sex. Use condoms and talk to your health provider about getting about tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

NEW & Popular in Men's Health


  • Steroids and Supplement Use: Though anabolic steroids are illegal for service members, some are tempting to use to build muscle quickly or to enhance athletic performance. However, evidenceExternal Link ​shows that anabolic steroids can cause severe, long-lasting and in some cases irreversible damage that can lead to early heart attacks, strokes, liver tumors, kidney failure, and psychiatric problems. Certain "nutritional" or dietary supplements can also have similar adverse health risks. Check out this siteExternal Link for Dietary Supplement products (often sold as 'healthy' or to help build strength, lose weight) that are restricted for service members due to their dangerous health hazards. See this news article: Supplements can mean dangers to health, job​External Link (2022)
  • Did You Know? Human papillomavirus (HPV)External Link is a common virus typically spread through sexual contact. Some strains cause genital warts, while other strains can lead to certain types of cancer among women (e.g., cervical cancer) and men (e.g. throat, anal cancer). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)External Link reports that every year more than 15,000 men in the U.S. get cancers caused by HPV. These cancers caused by certain viral strains of HPV are considered largely preventable by getting the HPV vaccine. If not fully vaccinated as a child, per CDC guidelinesExternal Link both males and females beginning at age 9 up to 45 years old should get three doses of the HPV vaccine. ​
  • Vaccine Questions? Check with the Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Division (DHA-IHD).External Link​ Active duty service members are required to get certain vaccines, while other vaccines are recommended. Some vaccines are recommended for the international traveler as part of deployment and travel medicine. The goal of immunization is for the service member to benefit from immunizations that help prevent certain diseases (vaccine-preventable diseases). Some immunizations may be required by the Combatant Commands as part of their theater-entry requirements​. See CDC-recommended vaccines for adultsExternal Link​. Also see additional vaccinesExternal Link​ for country-specific and Areas of Responsibility (AOR) threats to protect the DOD.