President’s Message – June 2019

June is National Men’s Health Month!  It is also a perfect opportunity to heighten awareness of preventative health care for men by promoting early detection and treatment of diseases.  Did you know that American men are 24% less likely than women to seek preventative care?  According to Steven Kardos, MD, Northeast Medical Group urologist and director of Bridgeport Hospital’s new Men’s Health Program, if men made a few simple adjustments to their daily routine, it could make a significant difference in their well-being.  These adjustments include:

• Walking or doing other types of moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
• Drinking 6 or more 8 oz. cups of water daily
• Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fish and poultry
• Reducing stress through regular meditation and 7-8 hours of sleep each night

When men are hesitant to seek medical care, it can lead to unnecessary hospitalizations, which increases health care costs and contributes to men living an average of six years less than women.  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that men are 28% more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure, 32% more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and 24% more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by immunization.

Bridgeport Hospital wants to improve health outcomes for men through a new Men’s Health Program.  We want to help men focus on wellness and prevention to prevent disease and also facilitate access to physician appointments and services when there is a health concern.  Our physicians know from experience that many of their patients whom they refer to other physicians or services do not follow through for a variety of reasons such as lack of time, priority or interest.  But these factors can be easily overcome by coordinated care and exceptional service within a network of providers.

Click here to learn more about our Men’s Health Program and celebrate Father’s Day with us by making a gift in support of this important new initiative.

Click to DONATE

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation!