“The best Father’s Day gift isn’t something you can wrap – it’s a gift made over many years together.
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Every June, the same question comes up: What do you get Dad for Father’s Day? You start searching, and the ads come in: grilling tools, novelty socks, another tie he’ll wear twice.
The most valuable thing you can give Dad isn’t something you buy on Amazon. This year, give the gift of time. Lifestyle and preventive medicine are surprisingly good at handing this out if you know where to look.
Here’s a Truth: American Men Die about five years earlier than women, and a large part of that gap is preventable. Men go to the doctor less, get fewer screening tests, and treat their bodies the same way they treat a check-engine light: Ignore it until something fails.
Good news? The high-risk issues that kill men early are largely detectable and treatable, if you catch them before they do damage. So this Father’s Day, consider nudging dad (or yourself) toward these five healthy habits and five screening tests that could add years to life.
Here are 10 evidence-based steps – 5 habits and 5 screening tests – that every dad and the people who love him should know about. Research shows that men who adopt healthy habits and stay on top of their screenings can add more than a decade to their lives.
Five Healthy Habits for Dad on Father’s Day
Don’t smoke – or tell dad to quit
Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of early death in men. Not smoking alone reduces the risk of dying from any cause by 13%, with the effect being even stronger in men than women. The good news: Quitting at any age makes a real difference. If Dad still smokes, help him find a plan to quit: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW together, download a quit-smoking app, or ask his doctor about medications that can double his chances of success.
Encourage Dad to move more every day
Just 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, for example brisk walking, bike riding, shooting with the kids, is one of the strongest predictors of a long life. In one study, physically active men Use to live On average 3.5 years longer than sedentary men. Make it a family affair: Plan a Father’s Day walk, sign up together for a local 5K or challenge Dad to a daily step-count contest.
As a family, eat better
Poor diet is the number one risk factor for disease in men worldwide. But eating good food doesn’t have to be complicated. For example, eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish, and cut back on processed foods, red meat and sodium. Children and partners can help by cooking healthy meals for dad, trying a new recipe together every week, or swapping out an unhealthy snack for a better option. Small changes add up.
Help dad maintain a healthy weight and keep an eye on alcohol
maintaining a healthy weight (BMI less than 25) and reducing alcohol – or digging These are, in total, two more pillars of longevity. Help Dad by stocking the fridge with healthy options and suggesting fun, active outings instead of ones focused on food and drink.
Stay connected with dad and make sure he’s sleeping well
Loneliness and social isolation are serious health risks, especially for men. It is significantly higher among socially isolated men risk Of early death. Meanwhile, getting 7-8 hours of quality Sleep Each night is now considered an important part of heart health. Encourage Dad to stay involved — join a club, volunteer, stay in touch with friends — and help him prioritize a consistent sleep schedule. The Father’s Day tradition of a regular family dinner or weekly phone call can make a lasting difference.
Five screening tests every father should do
get dad’s blood pressure checked
High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. Yet it is one of the biggest risk factors for heart attack and stroke. About 1 in 3 men with high blood pressure don’t know they have it. The solution is simple: It takes less than a minute to check blood pressure with a cheap cuff at any doctor, pharmacy or even at home. Buy a home blood pressure monitor for Dad this Father’s Day and encourage him to check it regularly.
Make sure dad gets his cholesterol tested
High cholesterol silently clogs arteries for years before causing a heart attack or stroke. guidance recommend All men aged 40-75 should have their cholesterol checked regularly, as this is the window where treatment – whether lifestyle changes or statins – has the greatest impact. Ask dad when he last got a lipid panel done. If he can’t remember, it’s time to schedule it.
Get dad updated about colon cancer screening (starting at age 45)
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in men, but it is one of the most preventable cancers when caught early through screening. Screening for average-risk adults should begin at age 45. Options include a colonoscopy every 10 years, a stool-based test (such as FIT) every year, or a stool DNA test every 3 years. If Dad is 45 or older and hasn’t been tested, help him schedule it. If he’s nervous about a colonoscopy, remind him that a simple at-home stool test is also an effective option.
Dads should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer (ages 55-69)
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Yet screening is not one size fits all. USPSTF recommended Men ages 55-69 should talk to their doctor about whether a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is right for them. This will help them weigh the potential benefits of early detection against the risks of overdiagnosis and side effects of treatment. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk and may benefit from starting this conversation as early as age 40-45. Encourage Dad to bring it on his next trip.
Make sure Dad gets checked for abdominal aortic aneurysm (ages 65-75, for men who smoke)
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dangerous bulge in the body’s largest artery that can burst without warning, leading to a mortality rate of up to 81%. The USPSTF recommends a one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked, even if they quit decades ago. This painless, 10-minute test can detect aneurysms before they become life-threatening. If dad is in this age range and has a history of smoking, make sure he has this screening.
Ultimately, none of this requires concierge-medicine memberships or a biohacking budget. It requires a few appointments, a willingness to ask for the right tests by name, and a son or daughter who cares enough to step forward.
So this Father’s Day, by all means, fire up the grill. But between burgers and bad dad jokes, ask him when he last saw his doctor. If he hasn’t been in recently, and offer to help him call. This tie will be in the drawer till August. The value of giving dad something and a Father’s Day gift on Father’s Day is infinitely greater.
