HHS HealthBeat (July 30, 2010)

Do it for the people you care about

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Many people don’t go to the doctor as much as they should, and don’t take care of themselves as well as they should. And middle aged men for sure have that problem.

HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ, reviewed health care use. AHRQ’s Dr. Francis Chesley:

"As a result, men are about 30 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for preventable conditions such as congestive heart failure or complications from diabetes." (10 seconds)

Another example: Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.

These are prime family-supporting years, so AHRQ has an outreach campaign asking men to take care of themselves so they can be there for their loved ones.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 21, 2011