Men in the U.S. die, on average, nearly five years earlier than women—despite many of the top health risks being preventable. With a life expectancy of just 76.1 years, men face higher rates of chronic illness, mental health struggles, and premature death. Yet many delay or avoid the care that could change those outcomes.
In recognition of Men’s Health Month this June, Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit, is encouraging men—and the families who care about them—to take a proactive approach to their well-being. Prioritizing regular check-ups, mental health support, and early screenings can significantly improve quality of life and longevity for men across all generations.
“Far too often, men wait until there’s a serious problem before seeing a doctor,” said John Gisla, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Dignity Health Mercy Hospital of Folsom. “Men’s Health Month is a reminder that prevention matters—because showing up for yourself means you can show up for others.”
Younger Men, Bigger Gaps in Preventive Care: A 2024 national survey found that 68 percent of Millennial and Gen Z men are not getting yearly physicals—a missed opportunity to catch potential issues before they become chronic conditions. At the same time, more men ages 25–34 are seeking help for concerns related to neurology, urology, and physiotherapy, signaling that young adults are facing complex health challenges earlier in life.
And when it comes to mental health, stigma surrounding seeking help continues to be a major barrier to care. More than 60 percent of men say they hesitate to seek help for anxiety or depression—even as suicide rates among men remain alarmingly high.
Caring for Fathers, Caring for Families: Men’s Health Month also recognizes the important role fathers and caregivers play in their families’ well-being. Encouragingly, new data shows that 27 percent of health appointments made by men in 2024 were for someone else—up dramatically from 5 percent in 2018. This shift reflects a growing awareness that caring for others starts with taking care of yourself.
Dignity Health offers a full range of services tailored to men’s unique health needs, including annual wellness exams, heart and vascular screenings, prostate and urologic health evaluations, mental and behavioral health support, chronic condition management, and family and caregiver health resources.
Every Man Deserves a Healthy Future: “At Dignity Health, we believe health care is more than just treatment—it’s about empowering people to live fully and fearlessly,” added Dr. Gisla. “That includes men taking the time to care for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their future.”
To find a provider or learn more about men’s health services near you, visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/sacramento.
Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9,000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California.
Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.
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