Men’s Health Crisis: The Silent Killers We’re Not Talking About (Especially Among Black Men)

Men’s Health Week is in June, and it's essential to encourage the men in our lives to take their health seriously. Despite awareness campaigns, far too many men continue to skip checkups, delay screenings, and disengage from the healthcare system altogether.

The consequences? Increased risk of chronic illness, advanced-stage cancer diagnoses, and in many cases, premature death.

Why Do Men Avoid Going to the Doctor?

Several factors may explain why men, particularly Black men, are less likely to seek preventive care:

• Mistrust of the medical system: Black men have valid reasons to be cautious. Historical abuses, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and ongoing disparities in treatment outcomes contribute to a deep mistrust in healthcare institutions.

• Lack of representation: Black physicians comprise only 5.7% of US physicians. This can make it difficult for Black men to find clinicians who not only look like them but also understand their lived experience and communicate in ways that make them feel safe, heard, and respected.

• Time and access: From working jobs that don’t allow for time off, lack insurance coverage, transportation, or lack of information about where to get care.

• Cultural norms: Many men are raised with the belief that seeking help is a sign of weakness. Phrases like “man up” and “real men don’t cry” discourage vulnerability, even when it comes to health.

The Cost of Waiting

Avoiding seeing the doctor is dangerous. I often ask my male patients what would happen if they didn't change the oil in their cars, rotate the tires, or heed the warning lights that showed up on the dashboard. They probably would not be able to get to work, because the car would break down on them.

The human body also needs regular maintenance. This means keeping up with preventive health screenings as well as paying attention to subtle symptoms and seeking medical attention for them. 

Here are some statistics worth paying attention to:

• Black men have the highest rate of prostate cancer among all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. and are more than twice as likely to die from it.

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men—and it’s often preventable with early screening and lifestyle changes.

• Colon cancer is on the rise in younger adults, and early detection through screening dramatically improves survival rates.

What Screenings Should Men Prioritize?

By age group, here’s what most men should consider with their healthcare providers:

Ages 20–39:

• Blood pressure

• Weight, BMI, and waist circumference

• Body composition analysis

• Mental health screenings

• STI testing and prophylaxis if indicated

• Diabetes Screening
• Cholesterol and lipid profile
• Nutrient profile
• Detailed skin examination, if indicated

Ages 40–64:

• Cholesterol and advanced lipid panel

• Diabetes screening

• Body composition analysis
• Nutrient profile
• Electrocardiogram
• Detailed skin examination, if indicated
• Step test or Exercise Stress testing (discuss risks/benefits with provider)
• Grip strength analysis

• Colonoscopy starting at age 45 (earlier with family history)

• PSA test for prostate cancer (discuss risks/benefits with provider)

• Low-dose CT scan for lung cancer detection. This should start between 50-80 years of age in those with a positive 20-pack-year smoking history or who quit smoking in the last 15 years.

Age 65 and up:

• Bone density testing

• Grip strength analysis 

• Hearing and vision checks

• Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (if risk factors apply)

• Screening for peripheral vascular disease (if risk factors apply)

Click Here to Download a FREE Men's Health Checklist!

Why Black Men Need Focused Advocacy

Black men have higher mortality rates across the board. They are 30% more likely to die from heart disease, 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer, and twice as likely to die from it. Add to this the burden of social stress, structural racism, and underdiagnosed mental health issues, and the need for targeted, compassionate advocacy becomes clear.

For Black men, especially, working with a culturally aware advocate can be life-changing. As an independent health advocate, I can:

• Help choose the right primary care physician or specialist.

• Translate medical jargon and lab results, and create a personalized health plan with your goals and values in mind.

• Support informed decision-making about treatment options.

• Coordinate referrals, second opinions, and follow-up care.

   

Let’s Normalize Care, Not Crisis

We must change the cultural narrative from “real men don’t need help” to “real men take charge of their health.” That shift starts at the community level—with open conversations, peer encouragement, and visible support. We need to meet our men where they are. 

It's Time to Take Action

This Men’s Health Week, let's collectively take a concrete step toward better health:

• Start a conversation with the men in your life.

• Schedule a checkup for your loved one.

• Share this article

• If this all seems so overwhelming and you have no idea where to start, connect with me!

   

The men in our lives deserve to live well and age with vitality. Let’s make that happen—together.

To all the fathers and father figures, Happy Father's Day.