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2nd Annual William J. Jett Challenge Provides Education and Screenings
June 20, 2016
June 20, 2016
2nd Annual William J. Jett Men's Health Challenge Provides Education and Screenings
Contact: Tiffani McDaniel
Media Desk: 407-665-3374 (office) and 321-200-7805 (cell)
Sanford, Fla. – In observance of Men’s Health Month, the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) hosted the 2nd Annual William J. Jett Men’s Health Challenge on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Sanford Health Office.
Special guests included Michael Coe, Former NFL Cornerback with the New York Giants and Haki Nkrumah, Founder/President of Young Fathers of Central Florida.
“The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection of disease among men and boys,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Officer for DOH-Seminole. “This month gives healthcare providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.”
Vendors such as True Health, American Lung Association, YMCA of Central Florida, Healthy Start Coalition of Seminole County, Let’s Kick Asthma Foundation, and Florida Blue partnered with DOH-Seminole to bring the community an energetic and motivational health event.
“Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue,” said Maurece Daniels, Office of Men’s Health Coordinator for DOH-Seminole. “Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.”
It is a fact that although men are at a greater risk of death in every age group, most men do not visit their doctors nor have a yearly physical. Men are faced with a variety of health risks and disparities. Most men are raised in environments that do not instill good preventive health practices. They are employed in the most high risk occupations and involved in high risk behaviors and activities. Being raised in impoverished communities and the lack of inadequate access to healthcare also contribute to higher rates of mortality among men (U.S. Administration on Aging).
Event photos are available on Healthy Seminole County's Facebook. For more information about participating and sponsoring next year’s men’s health challenge, contact Maurece Daniels at 407-665-3240 or Maurece.Daniels@flhealth.gov.
Learn more about the Men’s Health Challenge by visiting www.seminolecohealth.com.
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