Baton Rouge General Launches The Healthy Men Project with Kick-off Event

BATON ROUGE, La. – Baton Rouge General (BRG) is launching The Healthy Men Project to encourage men ages 30-50 to be more proactive about their health and set goals that work for them. The new campaign, which was postponed from its original July launch because of the fourth COVID-19 surge, will begin with a November 6th kick-off event at BRG’s Bluebonnet campus from 8-10 a.m. The free event will combine the “need-to-do” tasks like health screenings and Ask the Expert stations with some “fun-to-do” stuff, including coffee tastings, batting challenges, and more.

“We know that men tend to delay seeking healthcare and ignore their symptoms, so just thinking and talking about their health is a huge first step for a lot of men,” said Dr. Benjamin Levron, a family medicine physician at BRG. “Joining The Healthy Men Project is not just about lowering your blood pressure or losing a few pounds. There are a lot of ways to start making healthier choices, like drinking less alcohol, checking in on your mental health or investing in a treadmill.”

Men who attend the kick-off event will have several opportunities to check in on their health:

• Cholesterol, Glucose and Blood Pressure Test
• Grip Strength and Balance Assessment
• Body Fat % Scale and Waist Circumference Check
• Ask the Experts: sports medicine, primary care, urgent care, oncology, colon and rectal surgery
• Allergy screening with The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center
• Create your ideal hydration/IV therapy “cocktail” card
• Find your perfect shoe fit with New Balance of Baton Rouge
• Test out your upper body strength with UpTown Climbing

After the kick-off event, men can continue to enroll in The Healthy Men Project through the end of the year, with the project heading into full swing in January. Participants will receive regular e-mail check-ins with health tips, local perks and an easy way to share the progress they’ve made, no matter how big or small. They’ll also have access to a host of benefits, from a t-shirt and nutrition consult to free classes and hydration therapy discounts. By sharing a step they’re taking to get healthier each month, participants will be entered to win the grand prize – a Traeger grill – as well as gift cards along the way.

Sixty-five percent of men say they avoid going to the doctor as long as possible. Experts attribute this to various reasons, but two big ones are stigmas and the “superhero syndrome.” Many men buy into the stigma that they should be strong enough to handle things on their own. They may convince themselves that seeing a doctor is a sign of weakness and that their condition will improve on its own.

“Plus, many men 40 and under assume they are healthy, not considering they could have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, which are both risk factors for heart disease and stroke if they’re not under control,” added Dr. Levron.

In an annual Cleveland Clinic survey, most men (82%) said they try to stay healthy to live longer for family and friends who rely on them, yet only half report that they’re getting that all-important preventative care.

Participants can test out their upper body strength with UpTown Climbing and take a swing at the batting challenge with Williamson Eye Center. CC’s Coffee House will be on hand with coffee tastings. Event participants will also have the chance to win door prizes, including a Top Golf gift card, sunglasses from Williamson Eye Center, a Huffy 7-speed comfort bike and more.

The kick-off event is free, but registration is required. To learn more about The Healthy Men Project, visit brgeneral.org/healthymen.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.

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