Posted: 11/11/2015
Parkland experts provide health screenings and education
Wives, moms, sisters, daughters and healthcare professionals know all too well how difficult it can be to get men to make routine doctors’ appointments or visit a clinic.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year. The first time some see a doctor may be when they have a heart attack or experience complications from diseases such as diabetes.
To help men start on the road to a healthier life, Parkland Health & Hospital System, along with the Men’s Advisory Committee, is sponsoring the 2015 Men’s Health Conference. The 13th annual event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young St., Dallas, 75201. The Men’s Advisory Committee is made up of individuals and organizations interested in promoting public health.
Among the highlights of the event will be keynote speaker former Dallas Cowboys great (A) Nate Newton, a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Also scheduled to speak:
- (B) Miguel Solis, first vice president of the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees
- (C) Former Dallas Cowboys player Willie Broughton, a 13-year veteran of the National Football League
- (D) Alexander Peralta, MD, a well-known speaker, author and specialist in pain and palliative medicine who is in private practice.
The event will provide education on a variety of health topics and offer health screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, HIV/AIDS and body mass index. Flu vaccines will be available for $20.
“Men should regularly participate in primary healthcare and have a regular examination throughout every decade of their lives,” said Noel Santini, MD, Medical Director and Chief of Adult Medicine for Community Medicine at Parkland. “Each decade brings on new health issues and by participating in regular check-ups, men are able to act on their healthcare concerns rather than react.”
The most common health conditions experienced by men include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, low testosterone and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The second leading cause is cancer. The Prostate Health Guide reports that each year more than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 will die from the disease.
“With this year’s conference theme, ‘Decisions,’ we are focusing on how attitudes, barriers and behaviors affect our healthcare decisions,” said Ron Session, Associate Site Administrator at Parkland’s Employee Physician Office and coordinator of the Men’s Health Conference. “And through the various health screenings at the conference, we can help men get to know their numbers and discuss the significance of the results with medical professionals. We want to make men more informed about the importance of primary healthcare and annual exams.”
Dr. Santini provides the following health tips for males of all ages:
- Get to know your numbers and have them checked regularly by your medical provider based on your risk factors and clinical practice recommendations. This includes blood pressure, body mass index, triglycerides and cholesterol.
- Consume minimal amounts of salt, sugar and fat.
- Exercise regularly and control your weight.
- Have the recommended screening tests or exams for testicular, colon, prostate, skin cancers, etc.
- Drink alcohol only in moderation.
- Do not smoke.
For more information or to pre-register for the Men’s Health Conference, contact Ron Session at 214.266.0651, or send an email to Ronald.Session@phhs.org. For a full list of Parkland Community events, visit www.parklandhospital.com/calendar.