DETROIT – More than 1,000 men showed up at the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit for the 16th annual Men’s Health Event hosted by the Michigan Men’s Health Foundation — and the line stretched far beyond the front doors, filled with men eager to learn more about their health.
Early, often, every year
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William “Billy” Smith was first in the door — and he makes it a point to be there every year. His philosophy is straightforward.
“If you want to be here you got to do something,” Smith said.
For Smith, showing up is the whole game.
“You can learn a lot of things here. Any man should be here because this is the best thing they ever came up with,” he said.
Paul Gyorke is another annual attendee. Family history drives him back each year.
“My dad had prostate cancer, so I always get my PSA, my cholesterol checked,” Gyorke said. “Don’t have to mess with a doctor or anything and here we are.”
Free, accessible, no insurance needed
The event was free and open to men 18 and older — no insurance required. Participants had access to screenings, referrals and follow-up care when something was flagged.
Dr. Michael Lutz, president of the Michigan Men’s Health Foundation, said the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“Every year we have countless stories of men that will come up to me and say that their prostate cancer, their oral cancer, or their HIV was discovered at this event,” Lutz said.
Dr. Jeffrey Miller of Miller Vein says men typically don’t seek care on their own.
“Most of our male patients they only make it to us after they have been pushed in by the women on their lives. They don’t think they have a medical problem, they avoid the doctor,” Miller said.
Put your health mask on first
Lutz offered a simple analogy to drive the message home.
“It’s kind of like when the oxygen masks come down in an airplane, you have to put yours in first because that’s the key. You have to take care of yourself before you can be helpful to others. It’s the same thing for health care and family,” he said.
Missed the event? Low-cost options still available
For men who missed the event, the Michigan Men’s Health Foundation says low-cost health care options are still available through several Detroit-area organizations, including Authority Health, Central City Health, Corktown Health, Detroit Community Health Connection, Vivent Health and Western Wayne Family Health Centers.
