Get Healthy Carson City: Happy Men's Health Week

This column addresses topics related to the health of our community.

This Sunday, families across the country will celebrate Father's Day. Part of being a good dad means trying to stay healthy, and so it's appropriate that the week leading up to Father's Day was designated Men's Health Week.

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to highlight men's health issues, raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases.

Although there are many factors that can impact men's health, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS play a large role. In a report by the CDC on data collected in 2009, there were more than 300,000 cases of chlamydia and well over 100,00 cases of gonorrhea reported in men nation-wide. These numbers may be much smaller than the actual incidence of STD infection because as a group, men have a tendency to get tested less often then women, and thus these numbers only reflect those men who have been tested.

It's suggested that men be tested between each partner to ensure that diseases are not spread and that those who are infected can receive the treatment they need.

Monday evenings from 4-6 p.m., the Carson City Health and Human Services clinic is dedicated exclusively to men's health. After-work hours are set aside to make attending as hassle-free as possible. As a patient, you can expect excellent care from trained medical professionals and up-to-date information on current health tips to keep your body in the best possible condition.

Our staff wants you to feel comfortable during your appointment. We offer STD testing and confidential partner notification, brief medical counseling and, if necessary, referrals to other healthcare providers to meet your needs.

Even though this weekend is Father's Day, we realize that not all men are ready for fatherhood. Carson City Health and Human Services provides family planning services and safe-sex kits to help ensure that you won't be celebrating Father's Day until you're ready.

Our nurses are available to answer your questions and provide information to help you feel comfortable about your choice for now and for the future.

To make an appointment, call the clinic at 887-2195.

For more information about Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycar soncity.org or visit us on Facebook at Carson City Health and Human Services.

• Cortney Bloomer and Valerie Cauhape, Carson City Health and Human Services.