JAX Chamber: Volunteers In Medicine Appeals To Men: Visit A Doctor Today

Jacksonville FL

31 May, 2022

5:15 PM

Description

Press release from the JAX Chamber: May 31, 2022 Men's Health Awareness Month, which takes place in June, is an opportunity to shine a light on the fact that men struggle to maintain good health. For example, CDC data shows that 51.9% of men have high blood pressure, 40.5% are obese, 14.1% are active smokers, and 3.1% have undiagnosed diabetes. These four conditions contribute to heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. In 2020, 1,054 men died from heart disease in Duval County, compared to 827 women. Men in general are more reluctant to go to the doctor. A survey conducted in 2016 by The Harris Poll, in partnership with the American Association of Family Physicians, found that almost 30% of men "wait as long as possible" to seek medical attention when they are feeling sick or in pain. Many of these men eventually receive their care in a hospital. By then, their condition has progressed and often requires a hospitalization. For hospitalizations not related to pregnancy, adult men were hospitalized 2,000 more times than adult women in Duval County in 2019. "This is unsustainable," says Volunteers in Medicine CEO Jennifer Ryan. "Working men in our community, many of whom are supporting a family, shouldn't have their lives upended by preventable illnesses." Volunteers in Medicine provides free, preventative healthcare to the working uninsured as well as free non-narcotic prescription medications and medical supplies. While only 32% of their patients are men, Ryan knows that many more simply aren't prioritizing a visit to the doctor. This is a source of frustration, knowing that healthcare is readily available to most of them. "They are our brothers, our fathers, our husbands, our grandparents. The community cannot afford to lose any one of them."About Volunteers in Medicine: Founded in 2003 by Dottie Dorion and Dr. James Burt, Volunteers in Medicine is a non-profit organization that serves the working uninsured. It is a full-service medical clinic, with two locations: Downtown at 41 E. Duval Street, open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and 9am-12pm on Saturdays, and WestJax, located at 5927 Old Timuquana Road on the campus of Inspire to Rise, a community center located in 32210 and open on Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-3pm and Saturdays from 9am-12pm. For over 18 years, the clinic has been funded by grants and private donations, receiving no federal funding. With more than 230 active healthcare volunteers, we are able to provide $3 worth of care for every $1 given. For more information, please visit www.vimjax.org or call 904-399-2766. This press release was produced by the JAX Chamber. The views expressed here are the author's own.