I am married to a strong, fine, hard working Black man.  He is all of those things PLUS he is supportive, patient and true help mate.  He works diligently to support his family.  He respects his mother (may she rest in peace) and will give you the clean shirt off his back if you asked for it.  But you know what he won’t do?

He won’t go to the doctor!!  That’s right.

When it comes to going to the doctor, he turns into a completely different person!  He procrastinates.  He makes excuses.  He turns into a virtual child.  This man has 2 degrees, he gives blood regularly and has a full understanding of the importance of health maintenance but yet he still has to be forced to tend to himself.  It drives me crazy that I have to do it but I do.  There are certain methods that I have had to implement to get things moving.  If you are having problems getting your husband to go to the doctor here are 3 ways to make it happen:

Deception

Make the appointment for him.  Tell him that you are sick and that he has to take you.  When you get to the registration desk, tell him the appointment is really for him and run out.

Threats

Pick up the phone and start calling his parents phone number.  Threaten to tell them.  No man wants his parents to think that he isnt taking care of himself.

Sexual favors

You know what to do here.  If you don’t head on over to the post I wrote about Quickies for help.

All jokes aside, healthcare in the African American community is a real issue, ESPECIALLY with our men.  Please don’t be in denial about that.  It’s really not a laughing matter.  Although we have gotten better, with knowledge and the availability of affordable healthcare, some of us will still not go to the doctor.  We still have a long way to go and here is the real of it.  According to BlackMensHealth.org

Studies show that Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and is a leading cause of cancer death in men.

According to CDC.org these are the Leading causes of death for African Americans:

Heart Disease

Cancer

Stroke

Diabetes

Unintentional Injuries

Nephritis/Nephrotic Syndrome/Nephrosis

Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease

Homocide

Septicemia

Alzheimers Disease

We have to stop this fear we have of visiting physicians.  Instead of being scared of what you might find out, think about the fact that a lot of these illnesses are preventable with early detection and sometimes simple lifestyle changes.  Life can get busy and a lot of times you don’t think of medical care as putting yourself first.  Its like they tell you on the plane in case of an emergency, you are to put your breathing mask on first. Why? Because you can’t help anyone else, if you don’t help yourself first.  So think about that and this:  Your family needs you, so do the right thing.

BMWK: When is the last time you visited your physician for a routine check up?