Did you know that 12.4% of men over 18 years of age are in fair or poor health?[1] In addition, the leading causes of death among men include heart disease, cancer and accidents.[2] These statistics imply that there is much to do to improve men’s health across the board. This Men’s Health Week (June 12-18), you can help by encouraging the men and boys in your life to become informed about health issues that most affect them, and what steps they can take to lead a healthier life. Here are a few preventive measures that men can take to better their health:

• Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S.[3] Furthermore, smoking can increase the risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.[4] Thankfully, if you’re a smoker, quitting can reduce your risk of many diseases and complications. For example, the risk of a heart attack drops significantly just one year after quitting smoking.[5]
• Get eight hours of sleep: Not getting enough sleep can lead to a variety of health issues such as heart disease, depression, diabetes and stroke, among many others.[6]It can also make it more difficult to stay alert at work, lead to accidents and impair your judgment.[7] For that reason, it is important to get enough shut-eye every night. So, how much sleep is enough? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults over 18 should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. If you’re still groggy or tired, consult with your doctor to check for any other issues.
• Get an annual check-up: Although you can take preventive measures to keep certain health issues at bay, there may be health concerns that go unnoticed. Don’t forget to schedule an annual check-up to make sure that you’re doing everything possible to keep your health at its best.
• Prepare for the unexpected: Staying healthy also means preparing for any unexpected accidents or issues that may affect you.

LifeMap has a variety of coverage options that can help you prepare for the unexpected, including

• group critical illness insurance
• group accident insurance
• individual critical illness (CI) plus insurance 

Learn more about how LifeMap can help you recover from a serious illness or accident without taking a serious hit to your finances.