Written by Professor Stephen Mashingaidze and Rumbidzai Mukori-William for BonVie Medical Aid scheme
June marks the middle of the year, and a very important time of the year, that is a built-in reset button and recognized globally as Men’s Health Month, with the goal of getting men talking, checking, and acting on their health before problems become emergencies. In the Zimbabwean context, where we are wired to “push through” and “handle it later,” that message matters even more.[1]
The Reality Check: Where Men Go Wrong
Most men only think about health when something breaks. We treat our bodies like company cars: run them hard, service them late, and hope nothing expensive happens. That approach works until it doesn’t.[2] Globally, men die 5-7 years earlier than women, and the gap is similar in Zimbabwe.The problem is not lack of information. It is timing. We wait until the check-engine light is flashing red. By then, treatment is more complex, expensive, and less effective. June gives you a chance to catch it while it is still a warning light.[3] Clinics and pharmacies in Zimbabwe, also provide subsidized screenings and free blood pressure checks during this period.
The 3 Pillars of Men’s Health
Forget complicated 12-week plans. If you get these three pillars right, you eliminate 80% of preventable health risks for men.[4]
Pillar 1: Physical Health – The Engine
Your body is the vehicle for everything else. If it breaks down, nothing else matters.
What to check this month:
- Blood Pressure: Get it checked. Hypertension often has no symptoms until it causes stroke or heart attack.
- Weight and Waist Circumference: For African men, a waist circumference over 94cm increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Weight matters less than where you carry it.
- Sleep: Sleeping under 6 hours for weeks lowers testosterone, impairs decision-making, and increases the risk of depression. Aim for 7-8 hours.[5]
- Movement: You do not need a gym. Thirty minutes of brisk walking, bodyweight exercises, or football five days a week meets WHO recommendations for adult physical activity.[6]
Quick win for June: Take a 10-minute walk after lunch every day. It lowers post-meal blood sugar spikes and improves digestion. Small actions compound.[7]
Pillar 2: Mental Health – The Driver
A car with a perfect engine is useless if the driver is asleep at the wheel. Men are taught to “man up” and stay quiet. That doesn’t work when you are managing rent, a job, a side hustle, and family expectations all at once.
Signs you are running on empty:
- Irritability over small things
- Numbness or lack of motivation
- Drinking more than usual to “switch off”
- Trouble sleeping even when tired
What to do in June: Talk to one person. Not about football or politics. Tell one friend or family member what is actually on your mind and limit doom-scrolling.
Pillar 3: Preventive Health – The Service Check
You service your car every 10,000km. When did you last service your body? Preventive checks catch problems early, when they are cheaper and easier to treat.
For men under 40: Full blood count, cholesterol, blood sugar, dental check, skin check and HIV testing.
For men 40 and above: Add prostate-specific antigen testing and colon cancer screening to your annual check.
Conclusion
We glorify the guy who grinds 18 hours a day and sleeps four hours. We call it hustle. Real hustle is staying healthy enough to grind for 20 years, not two years before burnout. June is your kick-off. Not because a calendar says so, but because you deserve to see the results of your work. Your family deserves you healthy. Do not wait for a diagnosis to start caring. Start now.
References:
1. World Health Organization. _Men’s Health Month: Global Awareness and Action_. WHO Regional Office for Africa, 2024.
2. Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe. _Non-Communicable Diseases and Men’s Health Report_. MOHCC, Harare, 2023.
2. World Bank. _Life Expectancy and Gender Disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa_. World Bank Group, 2024.
3. Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe. _Guidelines for Adult Health Screening in Primary Care_. MOHCC, 2023.
4. Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency. _ZimStat Mortality and Morbidity Report 2023_. ZimStat, Harare, 2024.
5. National Sleep Foundation. _Sleep Recommendations for Adults_. NSF, 2023.
6. World Health Organization. _Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health_. WHO, 2020.
7. International Diabetes Federation. _IDF Africa Region Diabetes Report_. IDF, 2023.
