According to ABC News, men are more reluctant to go to the doctor than women, which is one of the biggest reasons a man’s life expectancy is six to seven years behind a woman’s. You’ve probably heard the excuses before, “I’m too busy,” “I feel fine,” or “It’s too expensive.” These excuses help us avoid going to the doctor for check-ups and preventative care. Visiting your doctor for regular check-ups can help you live a longer, healthier life. 

Encourage the men in your life to live healthier and help them on their path to wellness! Check out the tips below for easy ways to live healthier for men and women!

1. Make regular appointments with your primary care provider. Need to find a doctor? Check out HealthNet’s new provider directory with photos and biographies of all of our doctors! Find a doctor based on their location, gender, specialty or language.

2. Choose healthy eating habits. Need help determining what foods you should and shouldn’t be eating each day? Visit www.choosemyplate.com for online help, or call a HealthNet center near you to make an appointment with our dietitian.

3. Get some sleep. Did you know poor sleeping habits have been linked to depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and other health issues? The amount of sleep each person needs a night can differ from person to person, but 7-9 hours is the average recommended hours of sleep a night.

4. Exercise. To busy to go to the gym? Check out these 10 easy ways to sneak in a workout!

For more information on HealthNet’s services and locations, visit www.indyhealthnet.org or call us at 317-957-2000.

Last year, a reported 50 million Americans between the ages of 18-64 were without health insurance for the entire year.  This, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an increase of “1.1 million people each year, over the past several years,

and middle-income people account for half of that increase.”

Access to health care is essential to these people who no longer seek preventative or regular services because of its cost.  Prevention is MORE important than treatment in terms of getting and staying healthy, and now people are coming to the doctor only in times of serious illness or emergency.  This delay can lead to poorer health in the long-run, and people battling with disabilities and chronic illnesses are affected the most.

This reality of more and more people becoming uninsured heightens the importance of greater access to care.  The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), reported an increase of 36% for the number of uninsured patients who visited health centers nationwide.  The need is growing, and the access to care must grow with it.

Preventative care is available through community health centers that can provide multi-service primary care to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or those who do not qualify for other forms of aid.  And the good news is that community health centers around the nation are set to expand as a result of more federal funding.

However, you can help your OWN community by supporting HealthNet‘s community health centers continued efforts to expand and reach those who need it within Indianapolis.  Vistit our website, indyhealthnet.org or donate directly by clicking here.