Celebrate Father's Day By Improving Dad's Health

Still trying to find the perfect gift for dad this Father's Day? How about a longer life.

The Rockland County Health Department and the county's Cancer Institute are encourging county residents to celebrate Father's Day and Men's Health Week by enouraging dad to take better care of his health.

As part of the ongoing Men's Health Week, the Health Department is working to increase the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease. This is a key issue, since, on average, men die younger than women—and in greater numbers—of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and many other diseases.  Compared to women, men are more likely to smoke and drink, make unhealthy or risky choices and put off regular checkups and medical care, according to Rockland County Commissioner of Health Dr. Joan Facelle.

"During Men's Health Week it is important for all of us to educate our husbands, fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends, about the simple facts that regular medical exams, preventive screenings, including cancer-screening tests, and healthy lifestyle choices can help save their lives," said Facelle.

The Rockland County Cancer Institute encourages Rocklanders to let the men they love know how much they care by adding a free "gift of good health" to their Father's Day cards this year.  It's a small, colorful insert, available in English, Spanish and Creole, that reminds men to schedule check-ups, get cancer screening tests, and take lifesaving steps to help reduce the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses.

The insert also has information about programs in Rockland County that can help them be active, eat right, maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, get health insurance and get screened for cancer. Download the Father's Day "gift of health" from the Rockland County Cancer Institute website at www.RocklandCancerInfo.com

The Rockland County Cancer Institute of the Rockland County Department of Health offers education about cancer prevention and early detection, and referrals to cancer related services.  For more information call at 845-364-3857 or visit www.RocklandCancerInfo.com.