Contact:
Alison Hewitt
CHD16MediaRequests@flhealth.gov

Jacksonville, FL—The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) is participating in “Wear BLUE Day” on Friday, June 16, 2017.  Each year, “Wear BLUE Day” is held during Men’s Health Month and the Friday before Father’s Day to show concern for the health and wellbeing of boys and men.

In Duval County,

• Men have higher rates of obesity than women (68.8% to 63.7%; 
• Adult men have higher Diabetes than women (Males 16.0% and Females 8.4%)
• Death rate teen suicide: Males 9.2 per 100,000 and Females 1.7 per 100,000 (5.4 times more likely in males than females)

“Men live sicker and die younger and recognizing Men’s Health Month raises the awareness of the importance of Men’s Health,” said Kelli Wells, MD, Director of DOH-Duval. “DOH-Duval participates in wear BLUE Day to raise awareness in our community regarding making healthy lifestyle choices, making regular annual visits to the doctor, getting educated on heart disease or diabetes, starting general health conversations with men in your life and much more.”

Please join the DOH-Duval team and wear BLUE on Friday, June 16th and as you are celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday, remind the males in your life to get regular check-ups, know their numbers (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, PSA (prostate specific antigen).  Also, have open conversations about engaging in responsible sexual behavior and pay attention to their emotional health.

About the Florida Department of Health 

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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