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Happy Fathers Day to the Men in our Lives! The first idea of a “father’s day” in the United Sates began back in 1909 in Washington, when a girl by the name of Sonora Dodd Smart wanted to have a special day to honor her father. William Smart. Her mother passed away while giving birth and it was her father, a Civil War veteran that raised her and five other siblings by himself. After Sonora became an adult she realized the selflessness and sacrifices that her dad made and since his birthday was in June, she chose to hold the first “father’s day” celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910. President Coolidge supported the idea of a National Father’s Day (1924), President Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday in June as Father’s Day (1966) and it wasn’t until President Nixon signed the law which finally made it a permanent holiday in 1972. Most people around the world celebrate Father’s Day; the customs and traditions might be different, but the spirit of the celebration is the same. One of the beautiful things about this day is that you can wish any father whether it is your biological father, grandfather, stepfather, foster father, uncle, brother or friend who plays the role of a father figure in your life a “Happy Father’s Day” and it’ll be alright! So for all the special men in our lives, wouldn’t it be appropriate to dedicate this week’s article to your health? Let’s start with some fascinating facts! Dr. David Gremillion, quoted from Men’s Health Network, states “There is a silent health crisis in America; it’s that on average American men live sicker and die younger than American women.” Men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death and are the victims of over 92% of workplace deaths. In 1920, women lived, on average one year longer than men. Now, women on average, live 5.2 years longer than men. Women are 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men. Men suffer hearing loss twice the rate of women. Testosterone is linked to elevations of LDL (the bad cholesterol), and declines in HDL (the good cholesterol). Men have fewer infection-fighting T-cells and are thought to have weaker immune systems than women. Lastly, by the age of 100, women outnumber men eight to one. So how was that for some supportive, loving information in this father’s day article? With all these odds stacked against them. Isn’t it more important than ever to try to “counter” those top ten disease processes that affect the men in our worlds? Isn’t it more important for the men in our lives to make more effort to live healthier lives by eating properly, exercising regularly and reducing the stresses in their lives? I challenge the fathers (men) of our world to take charge of their lives and promise us this father’s day to start doing this for us. We all know that living a healthy lifestyle will reduce heart disease (#1 killer), help through Cancer (#2), make your bodies stronger and more protected against injuries (#3), reduce strokes (#4), reduce chronic pulmonary disease (#5), reduce diabetes (#6), prevent against influenza and pneumonia (#7), improve depression issues and suicides (#8), help kidney disease (#9) and help in brain cell function in Alzheimer’s disease (#10). Taken from Harvard Men’s Health Watch, I thought this was a great way to wrap up the stages of our men. It’s simple and informative.
Deborah Holmes June 10,
2008 |
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