Too often, men's health concerns have focused on their sexual health. However, we know that anyone's health is a combination of lifestyle choices, diet, exercise, risk factors, mental functions and other variables in their lives. Men need to be aware of the fat in their diet, follow the daily dietary guidelines, partake in aerobic exercise, keep up-to-date on immunizations, eliminate tobacco use, and stay out of the sun. (These are the same recommendations for women, youth and children.) 

So, where do we start with men's health? With screenings. Many men maintain their car better than their body. Let's see I changed the oil on the opening day of baseball season which was Sunday, April 4. Last physical, hmm? Give me a second - I know this - it was my senior year and I graduated in_ . You get the point. 

Men schedule 150 million fewer physician appointments than women. Why? One reason offered by Andrew Kimbrell, co-founder of the Men's Health Network, is that "in their 20s, men are too strong to see a doctor. In their 30s, they're too busy, and in their 40s, they're too scared."  Screenings are no picnic but they are necessary to create a baseline to compare a man's health across time. In general, screening tests are recommended to start about age 40 if no risk factors are present. 

Recommended screenings include, but are not limited to: blood pressure check, blood and urine tests, tuberculosis test, electrocardiogram (ECG), digital rectal exam (DRE), blood in stool test, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, skin exam and sigmoidoscopy. These are not diagnostic tests. They are screening tests to look for potential problems and gauge health status. While the entire medical community doesn't agree on the details of each screening, it does agree that men need to have open and honest discussions with their physicians about screening schedules. 

Another point. Men don't talk about their health with each other. But maybe they should, as a means to encourage each other to be more proactive in establishing a screening schedule.  Hey, Dan - great play last night in left field. By the way, how did your PSA and DRE come out last week? 

by: Sereana Howard Dresbach, Health Specialist, OSU Extension 

LifeTime Tips 
Communication is key in any relationship. But how do people keep it together if they spend a lot of time apart? A recent research project of truck drivers and their partners shared the following suggestions: 

• Make a date for phone calls. Put it on the calendar.
• Write regularly or use e-mail or fax to send short notes to each person in the family.
• Before leaving, tape several short stories or messages and hide them to be discovered while you are gone, or leave them in a special place for family members.
• Send pictures of places you've been or things you are doing.
• When together, delegate chore time and expectations. Don't criticize each other for the way situations were handled. Make plans for the next time.

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Statistics show that each incarcerated adult leaves behind approximately two children. If the present incarceration rates continue, by the end of 1999 almost 3 million children will have a parent who is incarcerated. This is even more disturbing knowing that one of the most significant predictors of whether a child will acquire a criminal record is whether they have a parent with a record. However, research shows that improving parenting skills of inmates might be beneficial for the inmate, his or her family, and children as well as society. 

The goal of the Fit 2-B FATHERS club is to empower members to become physically, practically and interrelationally fit for the demands of successful fathering. Meetings are divided into three segments:  calisthenics; teaching the practical aspects of child development; and building social skills.  

Fit 2-B FATHERS cannot guarantee that it will become the "silver bullet" program that everyone has been searching for since the first inmate was put behind bars, but it can guarantee that it will strive to empower its members with the skills needed to function as successful fathers and as non-criminal members of society. It is believed that members who are released from prison and possess these qualities will have less chance of returning to prison, and their children may have less chance of becoming incarcerated. 

by: Joseph J. Maiorano, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Jefferson Co, OSU Extension 
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During the era that we raised our three children, I could probably count on one hand the number of diapers that my husband changed.  Neither did he take responsibility for feeding and clothing the children.  He did babysit on occasion, but I don't know how comfortable he felt, especially when the children were babies.  I am not complaining, that is just the way it was.  Our roles were pretty much clearly defined, and most of the child-rearing practices were done by "mom." 

My oldest son is father to a delightful young lady who has just turned 4 years old.  During those four years, he has performed every child rearing task there is.  He has taken an active part in the day-to-day chores that go along with being a parent.  From the day she was born, he has diapered, bathed, dressed, fed, disciplined and loved that child.  They have a true bond that has been established from day one. 

Do my children view their dad from a different viewpoint than my granddaughter views her dad?  No, I don't think so.  All of them realize their dads are no pushovers and they do need to listen to them.  The all love and respect their dads.  They also know their dads are there for them in times of trouble and in good times.  Most importantly, no matter what role their fathers took in the actual fathering process, they all know that their fathers love them. 

by:  Bonnie Sutherly, Family & Consumer Sciences agent, OSU Extension, Champaign Co 
 
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Washing your hands with warm water and soap is the best way to clean all the dirt and germs from your hands. It is the best method for preventing illness. A hand sanitizer will not clean the dirt from your hands or clean underneath your finger nails where lots of nasties like to hide. 

However, in the occasional "no water" situation, something is better than nothing. Hand sanitizers on the market today contain ethyl and isopropyl alcohol. These are often used in health care settings as an antiseptic. These will kill the germs present on your hands and the alcohol will evaporate preventing your hands from feeling sticky. 

Also, the isopropyl alcohol adds a bitterness to the sanitizer to prevent people from ingesting the product. 

Soap and water is best, but if you need to use a hand sanitizer, choose a brand with a moisturizer added to prevent your skin from drying out. 

by:  Mary Kershaw, Nutrition Associate, OSU Extension 

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