As International Men鈥檚 Health Week winds down on Friday June 16, 麻豆原创 assistant professor of health sciences Michael Rovito continues to advocate for the establishment of a national men鈥檚 health office. That鈥檚 because none currently exist, although there are roughly a dozen offices dedicated to women鈥檚 health across the nation.
He wants to increase education about men鈥檚 health issues that often go overlooked. With the Men鈥檚 Health Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy behavior and habits in the male community, Rovito is pushing for policy creation or change in regards to cancer screenings.
Currently, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, an institution that is influential in clinical practices and the driving force in many medical policies, advises against self-exams for testicular cancer because it may cause unnecessary anxiety surrounding the issue. However, the benefits of these exams outweigh the risks, Rovito said.
On a local level, Rovito and the MHI have been helping men in the Central Florida area through outreach events designed to educate both men and women on men鈥檚 health issues.
鈥淵ou can actually almost see that change from a position of powerlessness to one of empowerment, that switch when you start talking to (patients) and they get a little bit more relaxed and they become more confident,鈥� Rovito says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really a fulfilling feeling. The best part is you鈥檙e instrumental in helping that change in someone.鈥�
Over the years, Rovito says he has seen a shift in the men鈥檚 health field and during these events toward a bigger emphasis on educating fathers about health and exploring their role in developing healthy behavior.
Learn more about men鈥檚 health and the Men鈥檚 Health Initiative.