June 19, 2004
Albany -- The health of American men is steadily deteriorating,largely because of a lack of health education and the negative attitude many men have about their health. Saturday as Men's Health week wines down health experts were working over time spread the message of good health.
Ronald Hartman can only imagine what his 4 years old grandson Jaylen will be when he grows up.
"I think he will be involved in helping people because right now he loves to help around the house," says Hartman.
It's a future Hartmen wants to be a part of. That's why he joined other men who gathered for the annual "Men On The Move" health fair sponsored by Phoebe Putney. The event offers men free health screening and information about the illness that affect them most.
"We die more of heart attacks and strokes than any other condition the number one killer is heart attack and stroke so we got to take our blood pressure," says event organizer Darrel Sabbs of Phoebe.
And blood pressure wasn't the only thing being checked. Volunteers give screens for glaucoma, diabetes and prostate cancer and doctors were on hand to talk health. But the big goal here is to change these mens attitudes about their health.
"A man have a pride thing he hates to admit that he is sick ," says Hartman
" What we are trying to do is to promote the awareness of early detection and the impact it can have on saving your life," says Sabbs
Event goer Bobby McClain now knows how important early detection can be. He found today that his blood pressure was dangerously high.
"They had a Dr. Gardern to come out and talk to me and he suggest that I get immediate treatment at the health department and medication," says McClain.
"Men are starting be active and starting to change their diet and that's really what it's all about getting message embracing it and acting on it," says Sabbs.
A message Ronald Hartman hopes to pass on to his grandson.
"If he sees me doing things healthy and he loves to do thing PaPa do. So I hope that it motivates him enough to want to do it," says Hartman.
Studies show on average men die six years younger than women. But doctors believe those statistics start to change as more men educate themselves and their sons about healthy habits.
posted at 6:43PM by scott.hunter@walb.com
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
