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Why Men’s Health Month Matters: Preventive Care, Tech, and the Power of Getting Real

5 min readJun 10, 2025

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Rick Newell MD MPH BCCI

Let’s get straight to it: Men, we’re notorious for thinking we’re invincible. I see it all too often in the emergency department — a guy who hasn’t seen a doctor in years rolls in with chest pain, blood in his urine, or unexplained weight loss. Too often, by the time he walks (or is wheeled) through those doors, we’re not talking about prevention anymore — we’re talking about surviving and attempts at damage control.

The Invincibility Illusion: A Story from the ER

Let me tell you about a patient I’ll call “Mike.” Mike was a 52-year-old who prided himself on never missing a day of work, rarely catching so much as a cold. He hadn’t had a physical in over a decade — “Doc, I feel fine, why waste the time?” Then, one night, he showed up with severe abdominal pain. The diagnosis: advanced colon cancer. Mike’s story isn’t rare. It happens all too often.

Why Preventive Care Isn’t Optional

We all know the stats: men are less likely than women to get regular checkups, more likely to skip screenings, and more likely to die from preventable diseases. But why does it matter? Because the leading threats to men’s health — heart disease, cancer, diabetes — don’t announce themselves with fanfare. They creep up quietly, often with no symptoms until it’s too late.

Annual physicals and screenings aren’t just boxes to check — they’re your early warning system. Here’s what’s at stake:

  • Prostate Cancer: The second most common cancer in men. Early-stage prostate cancer is often silent, but highly treatable if caught early.
  • Colon Cancer: Third leading cause of cancer death in men. Colonoscopies can prevent cancer by removing precancerous polyps before they turn deadly.
  • Heart Disease: The #1 killer of men. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes often have no symptoms until a heart attack or stroke hits.

Skipping these checks is like ignoring the “check engine” light on your car. Sure, you might get away with it for a while, but eventually, something’s going to break down.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Let’s be real: most of us don’t skip healthcare because we’re lazy. It’s because we’re busy, we feel fine, or maybe we’re just a little scared of what we might find. But here’s the truth — the cost of ignoring preventive care is far higher than the inconvenience of a doctor’s visit.

When I see men in the ER with advanced disease, I can’t help but think how different things could have been with a simple screening or checkup. Early detection isn’t just about adding years to your life — it’s about adding quality to those years.

Getting in Shape: The Ultimate Performance Hack

I’ll admit it — when I’m in my best shape, I feel unstoppable. My energy’s higher, my focus is sharper, and I’m a better leader, father, and friend. There’s a direct line between physical health and performance in every area of life. And yet, we men often let our health slide — skipping workouts, ignoring nutrition, and telling ourselves we’ll get to it “next week.”

Here’s the motivational truth: Your body is your most important asset. Treat it like you would your most prized tool or technology.

Leveraging Tech: Transforming Men’s Health Engagement

Let’s talk innovation. We live in an era where technology can do more than just remind you of your next appointment — it can actively engage you in your health journey.

I’ve personally been using MOOV, a platform that’s changing the game for men’s health. What’s different? It’s not just about tracking steps or calories. With features like VO2 max testing and personalized training plans, MOOV gives you actionable insights to optimize your health and performance. I’ve found the VO2 max testing especially eye-opening — it’s like getting a peek under the hood to see how efficiently your body is using oxygen, which is a powerful predictor of overall fitness and longevity.

Why does this matter? Because men respond to data, to goals, to competition — with themselves or others. MOOV taps into that, making health less about fear and more about performance, optimization, and control.

Action Steps: Take Charge of Your Health

Enough talk. Here’s what I want you to do — no excuses.

  • Schedule Your Annual Physical: If you haven’t had one in the past year, book it today.
  • Get Screened: If you’re over 45, schedule your colonoscopy. If you’re over 50 (or earlier if you have risk factors), talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening.
  • Know Your Numbers: Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar — track them and understand what they mean.
  • Move and/or Exercise Daily: Use technology and fitness trackers to set and hit exercise and movement goals.
  • Prioritize Performance & Recovery: Don’t just push hard — use tools, plans, services like MOOV to optimize your performance and recovery.
  • Talk About It: Share your commitment with a friend or family member. Accountability drives action.

Breaking the Cycle: From Invincibility to Accountability

Here’s the analogy I’ll leave you with: Ignoring your health is like building a wall to fight against the wind. Eventually, the wind wins. But if you build a windmill, you harness that power for something good. Stop resisting the reality of aging and risk — use it to fuel smarter choices and better performance.

Final Word: Don’t Wait for the Wake-Up Call

Men, don’t wait until you’re in my ER to start caring about your health. Preventive care isn’t a luxury — it’s your lifeline. Leverage technology, embrace the data, and make your health the foundation for everything else you want to achieve.

This Men’s Health Month, make the call. Book your screenings. Get your numbers. Take control. Your future self — and everyone who counts on you — will thank you.

Let’s get after it!

Rick Newell MD MPH BCCI

Dr. Rick Newell is a physician executive, healthcare innovator, and passionate change agent shaping the future of care delivery. As CEO of Inflect Health and Chief Transformation Officer at Vituity, he leads with purpose: simplifying complexity and driving bold, human-centered innovation to improve the lives of patients and clinicians alike.

Board-certified in both Emergency Medicine and Clinical Informatics, Dr. Newell remains grounded in patient care, practicing regularly in his community’s Emergency Department. He earned his Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management from Harvard University, completed his residency at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center, and received his MD from SUNY Buffalo — where he also co-founded a free health clinic that continues to serve underserved neighborhoods to this day.

Named a recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Dr. Newell blends deep clinical expertise with transformational leadership to reimagine what healthcare can — and should — be.

Why Men’s Health Month Matters: Preventive Care, Tech, and the Power of Getting Real

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Inflect Health
Inflect Health

Written by Inflect Health

Healthcare. Optimized and accessible for all.

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