The month of November, also known as “Movember,” is all about men’s health awareness. During Movember mustaches grow longer. Those mustaches turn men into walking, talking billboards for men’s health to bring attention to prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. The Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft encourage you to review your estate plan during Men’s Health Awareness Month this Movember to make sure it protects you, your assets, and your loved ones.
The State of Men’s Health
The average life expectancy of men in the United States is almost five years less than their female counterparts (81 vs. 76.2). One in two men will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Add to that the fact that almost seven percent (6.7) of the adult population is diagnosed with depression each year and one in three are considered obese and it becomes clear that men need to worry more about their health. Among the reasons why men tend to be in worse health than women are:
- Lack of awareness and understanding of the health issues men face
- Men not openly discussing their health and how they’re feeling
- Reluctance to take action when men don’t feel physically or mentally well
- Men engaging in risky activities that threaten their health
- Stigmas surrounding mental health
- Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year
Movember and Mustaches
The Movember Foundation began in 2003 in Australia. They are now the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. Movember aims to change how men look at their health by putting a fun twist on a serious issue. The idea of growing your mustache in support of men’s health began with just 30 men taking up the challenge almost 20 years ago. Using the moustache as a catalyst, the idea is to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health and take action when needed.
As a global men’s health movement, the Movember Foundation has the ambition to contribute to improving the lives of men around the world. To achieve this, we challenge men to grow moustaches during Movember (the month formerly known as November) to spark conversation and raise funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health problems. We see success as moving the dial on progress towards:
- Reduced mortality from prostate, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide
- Men living with prostate or testicular cancer being physically and mentally well
- Men and boys understanding how to be mentally healthy and taking action when they experience mental health problems
- Men and boys with mental health problems not being discriminated against
Review Your Estate Plan this Movember
Movember is intended to encourage men to think about their health and to take any necessary action to protect their health. While growing your mustache certainly supports the Movember movement, you should also take the time to schedule an annual physical and review your estate plan this Movember. Staying on top of your health is the best way to prevent serious illness. Be sure to follow up with any recommendations your doctor has for you during your checkup. Updating your estate plan is the best way to make sure you are protected if serious illness does strike despite your best efforts to prevent it.
Contact Indianapolis Estate Planning Attorneys
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions or concerns about estate planning, or you want to review your existing estate plan this Movember, contact the experienced Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft by calling (317) 684-1100 to schedule an appointment.
Mr. Kraft assists clients primarily in the areas of estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, federal and state taxation, real estate and corporate law, bringing the added perspective of an accounting background to his work.
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