1. New Jersey Business 39
FITNESS AND WELL-BEING
Addressing Men’s Health Issues
Whether you are a young man entering the workforce fresh
out of college or a grandfather nearing retirement, your health
and well-being should always be top of mind.
By Kevin Berrigan, Contributing Writer
W
hilearangeofmedicalissuesaffectmen,heart
disease is the number one health concern for
men at any age.
According to Mimi Guarneri, M.D., FACC,
senior advisor at Atlantic Health System for
integrative medicine and the New Center
for Well Being in Morristown, heart disease
is preventable through lifestyle choices and
avoiding risk factors such as cigarette smoking, diabetes, central obesity, stress
and poor nutrition, which can all be easily modified. As men gain weight, they
are more prone to diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, erectile dysfunction, heart
disease, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease, she says.
“As a man ages, the risk of heart disease goes up. It is important to think about
and modify risk factors as soon as possible.”
Patrick Roth, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Englewood Hospital and Medical Cen-
ter, concurs. He says heart disease, diabetes, prostate problems and erectile dys-
A Publication of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association

2. 40 September 2013
function are some of the large health
concerns for men, especially later
in life. However, these issues, which
are part of the aging process, can be
mitigated if one starts early in life in
maintaining his body weight and eat-
ing mostly green, leafy vegetables and
avoiding starchy vegetables.
“If you like meat, you need to just
eat less and don’t make it the central
part of the meal. Use it as a garnish,
instead. Monitor your blood pressure
and cholesterol and begin an exercise
regimen. You should lose more weight
as you age. You should be lighter in
your 50s than you were in your 20s,”
Roth says.
The engagement of family and life-
style are extremely important in the
health process, he continues. “There is
a strong connection between the phys-
ical and psychological. Neurons and
brain efficacy can affect the body in a
positive way.”
The first step to optimal health is
optimal nutrition, according to Guar-
neri. “Men should avoid food high in
sugar and simple carbohydrates such
as fruit juice, soda and white bread. It is
best to eat whole foods such as greens,
fresh fruit and whole grains. For pro-
tein, men should consider fish such
as wild salmon and lean meats. Learn
to read labels and avoid high fructose
corn syrup and partially hydrogenated
oils. Keep sodium to less than 1500mg
per day.”
Fitness is important, she says. It is
recommended that men perform 20-
30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily,
followed by strength training for 40
minutes. Any exercise program should
Dr. Mimi Guarneri, of Atlantic
Health System, notes that
heart disease is preventable
through lifestyle choices and
avoiding risk factors such as
cigarette smoking, diabetes,
central obesity, stress and
poor nutrition.
ADDRESSING MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

3. 42 September 2013
be approved by one’s physician.
The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention reports that heart disease
is the leading cause of death for men
in the United States. In 2007, it was
the leading cause of death for more
than 390,000 men. And men in their
50s carry the highest risk for develop-
ing heart disease and having a stroke,
according to the American Heart As-
sociation.
Researchers from three universi-
ties compiled data from the National
Health Interview Survey and tracked
the changes in respondents’ health
over a span of 23 years. Survey results
revealed that people born after 1980
had the most diverse answers when
rating their own health conditions
compared to older generations.
Although researchers can’t pin-
point the exact reason for the increase
in the health gap, their findings suggest
that the “digital divide” may have a lot
to do with it — some people are bet-
ter educated about their health due to
having access to medical information
on the Internet, while others lack the
necessary technology to routinely keep
their health in check.
Roth thoroughly endorses that as-
sessment. “There is a tremendous dis-
tinction between the promotion of
health and treatment of disease. The
single biggest enabler of health is edu-
cation. It is an incredibly important part
of the health process that will help miti-
gate diseases as we age and gives us the
confidence to overcome diseases.”
The Center for Well Being at Atlan-
tic Health offers patients the opportu-
nity to modify their risk factors. Health
assessments and health coaching is
available to all individuals who recog-
nize the need for lifestyle change.
“Our practitioners are experts in
stress management and provide pro-
grams to enhance resiliency such as
yoga, meditation and Tai Chi,” Guar-
neri says. “Nutrition counseling and
Why Are Men Avoiding the Doctor?
Ignorance in not knowing your health status is not bliss, and it
can certainly be harmful.
By Dr. Lisa Blondin, senior medical director for AmeriHealth New Jersey
We all have a variety of excuses for putting things off, but avoiding the doctor
is a habit men should try to change. In fact, men are 24 percent less likely than
women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely
to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
Even if you feel good, every man (and woman) should make it a priority to visit
their primary care physician (PCP) at least annually.
Checking in goes a long way
Check-ups are important because they provide the opportunity for routine health
exams and tests, which can help prevent a problem before it even starts. If a
health concern is found as a result of the visit, chances of successful treatment
are better if detected early.
If you do not have a PCP, choosing one will help to ensure your care is
coordinated and you are getting the health care that you need and deserve.
Know your numbers
More than one in three adult men has some form of cardiovascular disease.
Having your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly can help you
prevent becoming part of the statistic.
The results of these simple, but important, tests can provide a wealth of insight
into your overall health. They can also help determine if any lifestyle changes need
to be made to improve your overall health and well-being.
Creative reminders
It can be easy to “forget” to do things that may not be so much fun – man or
woman – but getting creative with your reminders might help.
A suggestion for men to consider: Schedule your annual PCP visit around
an event you really enjoy – the Super Bowl, your annual vacation or your favorite
holiday. Whatever you choose, know that setting aside this time for yourself is
helping ensure you’ll enjoy these things for years to come.
ADDRESSING MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

4. 44 September 2013
cooking classes are available as well
as treatments for pain management
such as acupuncture, Jin Shin Jitsu and
massage. Atlantic Health is home to
the First Line Therapy program, which
is a one-stop solution for weight loss,
diabetes, high cholesterol, fatigue and
fibromyalgia.”
Early detection through pre-screen-
ings and education programs are two
important ways men can avoid many
illnesses, according to Muhammad
Azam, M.D., family medicine at Princ-
eton Healthcare System in Dayton.
Also, different illnesses affect men
in different age groups, he says. The
leading causes of death among males
in the 15-24 age group is unintentional
injuries, poisoning, traffic accidents
and homicides, with 114 males in
New Jersey dying by homicide in 2011
and 77 in traffic accidents. Poor men-
tal health, drinking, binge eating and
smoking also cause some of these is-
sues among this age group, Azam says.
In addition, New Jersey leads the na-
tion in the number of blood poison-
ing cases. The national average is 10.9
people per 100,000 individuals, while
the Garden State rate is 17.9 people
per 100,000 individuals. In Essex
County, it is 30.8 people per 100,000
individuals.
In the 25-34 age group, the lead-
ing causes of death among men in
New Jersey are: poisoning, with 136
deaths in 2011; homicides with 101;
traffic accidents with 80; and suicides
with 58. In the 35-44 age group, the
areas of concern are: poisoning, 129;
heart disease, 97; suicides, 93; and
traffic accidents, 54. For those 45-
54, it is: heart disease, 435 in 2011;
liver disease, 160; poisoning 157;
and suicides 155. For the retirement
age group between 55-65 the leading
causes of death in New Jersey males
in 2011 were: heart disease with 787;
lung cancer with 421; other cancers
321; and diabetes with 196.
Azam recommends diabetes
screening by age 20. Type 2 diabetes
The Executive Health Program at RWJ
1-888-887-9584
RWJUH.edu
Principal Teaching Hospital for Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Flagship Hospital for Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Being the Best Means...
Your Health is
Your Bottom Line
Mimi Guarneri:
As a man ages, the risk
of heart disease goes up. It
is important to think about
and modify risk factors
as soon as possible.
ADDRESSING MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

5. 46 September 2013
— the most common type of diabetes
— affects the way the body uses blood
sugar (glucose), he says. Poorly con-
trolled diabetes can lead to heart dis-
ease, eye problems, nerve damage and
other complications. To prevent type
2 diabetes, one needs to get serious
about lifestyle choices. “Eat a healthy
diet. Include physical activity in your
daily routine. If you’re overweight, lose
excess pounds,” Azam says.
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Another issue is high blood pressure.
“A blood pressure greater than 135/80
is need for concern,” he says. “It is rec-
ommended that you start screening
for high blood pressure at 18, but at
Princeton Healthcare System, we start
as early as five to avoid any chance for
illnesses to develop like stroke, heart
attack and kidney problems. Diabetes
is more prevalent in obese individuals
and can damage the pancreas.”
Other health concerns include
cholesterol. Some factors leading to
high cholesterol include obesity and
tobacco use.
Additionally, Azim says “By 50, ev-
eryone should be checked for colorec-
tal cancer and everyone between 36-65
years of age should be checked at least
once for HIV infection.”
Early Detection
Most of the major illnesses facing men
in New Jersey today, especially those
in the business community, center
around prevention and early detec-
tion, according to Michael B. Stein-
berg, M.D., MPH, FACP, medical direc-
tor of the executive health program at
Robert Wood Johnson University Hos-
pital (RWJUH) and associate professor,
Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medi-
cal School division of general internal
medicine in New Brunswick.
“Most diseases are preventable
or treatable if found early,” Steinberg
says. “The problem for many busy men
is finding the time in their schedule to
undergo the recommended preventive
health tests. This is exactly why the ex-
ecutive health program at RWJUH was
designed. Heart disease and cancer,
for example, are two major concerns
of men and can be evaluated during a
preventive health examination. Can-
cer is an especially concerning issue
as New Jersey has higher than average
cancer rates for certain cancers com-
pared with other states. Other issues
that have emerged recently include
joint health, testosterone levels and
the use of nutritional supplements and
health screenings. These also are eval-
uated and discussed during our visits.”
According to a report provided by
Steinberg on cancer prevalence in New
Jersey, on January 1, 2009, of 392,436
people with a history of invasive can-
cer, 179,618 (46 percent) were men.
About 86 percent of the cancer sur-
vivors were white and 9 percent were
black. The majority of the cancer survi-
vors were 65 years or older.
Steinberg also says that there is a
definite connection between physi-
cal and psychological issues. “The
division of mind and body is largely
an artificial one. The mind controls
how the body perceives illness and
symptoms, so the two are interwo-
ven. Certainly, stress in one’s life, ei-
ther from work or elsewhere, can ad-
versely impact one’s physical health.
Conversely, physical illness can often
impact our psychological well-being.
All of these issues, including good
sleep health, are critical and can be
addressed during a comprehensive
preventive evaluation.”
There are no miracle cures or
treatments for preventing illness, he
says. “A healthy lifestyle including
good nutrition, exercise, sleep and
stress management, combined with
avoiding certain hazards such as to-
bacco and excess alcohol, are essen-
tial. In addition, keeping up to date
with preventive testing, screening
and immunizations are very impor-
tant. All of these are included in the
RWJUH executive health program’s
comprehensive preventive assess-
ment,” he says.
SteinbergfurtherstatesthatRWJUH
provides state-of-the-art treatment for
Dr. Muhammad Azam, of
Princeton Healthcare System,
says early detection and
education programs are two
important ways men can
avoid many illnesses.
Dr. Michael B. Steinberg, of
Robert Wood Johnson Medical
School, says, “The problem
for many busy men is finding
the time in their schedules to
undergo the recommended
preventative health tests.”
ADDRESSING MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

6. 48 September 2013
heart disease and cancer, and that it
has national experts on staff in many
critical medical and surgical fields.
Prostate Cancer
As mentioned earlier, one of the more
serious and easily preventable illnesses
for men is prostate cancer, according
to Michael Esposito, M.D., a urologist
with Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck.
Other than skin cancer, prostate
cancer is the most common cancer in
American men, he says. A walnut-size
structure, the prostate surrounds the
male urethra like a doughnut. Its pur-
pose is to secrete fluid to carry sperm
during ejaculation. The American
Cancer Society estimated that about
192,280 new cases of prostate can-
cer were diagnosed in 2009 and that
27,360 men would die of the disease in
the same year.
“There are often no symptoms in
early stages and it is suggested that you
see your doctor if you have changes in
urination, blood in your urine or se-
men, or frequent pain in your lower
back and legs,” Esposito says.
One of the chief indicators to ex-
amine in looking at the possibility of
someone developing prostate cancer is
family history, Esposito says. “If a pri-
maryorsecondaryrelativehasprostate
cancer, this raises the risk factor for you
developing it as well. One in eight men
during their lifetime will develop pros-
tate cancer.” Other risk factors include
obesity, cigarette smoking and chronic
prostatis, which is an inflammation of
the prostate gland.
Esposito says early detection is key
to treating the illness. “It is an inherit-
able gene that puts you at risk of devel-
oping this deadly disease.” Two ways of
detecting prostate problems include a
simple Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
blood test and a digital rectal exam,
usually included in a standard physical
examination each year.
Age is the strongest risk factor for
prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is very
rare before the age of 40, but the chance
of having prostate cancer rises rapidly
after age 50. Almost two out of three
cases of prostate cancer are found in
men over the age of 65. “It is recom-
mended that individuals over the age of
50 have both the PSA blood test and the
digital rectal exam each year,” he says.
It’s not known why, but prostate
cancer occurs more often in black
men. They also are more likely to be
diagnosed at an advanced stage, and
are more than twice as likely to die of
prostate cancer as white men. “If you
are African-American and have a fam-
ily history of prostate problems, it is
recommended you have both the PSA
blood test and the digital rectal exam
after the age of 40,” Esposito says.
There is some strong evidence, ac-
cording to Esposito, that a deficiency of
vitamin D, a diet high in saturated fatty
acids and a lack of exercise can also be
contributing factors. Further research
suggests that Selenium, a naturally oc-
curring vitamin supplement and lyco-
pene, a vitamin found in cooked and
raw tomato products and watermelon,
can help prevent the development of
this disease.
Even a benign enlarged prostate
gland can cause blockage and a de-
creased quality of life, he says. “Also
maintaining proper testosterone levels
is extremely important. Research into
thecauses,preventionandtreatmentof
prostate cancer is being done in many
medical centers around the world.”
Conclusion
Although men may face a range of ill-
nesses, the good news is that education
leads to prevention. Practices such as
exercise, proper diet, stress reduction
and routine health screenings again
can assist. Fortunately, healthcare in-
stitutions and practitioners in the state
are ready, willing and able to put men
on the road to proper health. NJB
ADDRESSING MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES
David C. Adams is elected CEO and
member of the board for the Curtiss-
Wright Corporation, Parsippany.
Kennedy University Hospital,
Voorhees, names Joseph W. Devine
president and CEO, and Maryann
Lauletta, MD, vice president of
medical operations.
Scott Evelyn is named president and
general manager for New York-based
Cigna’s tri-state market.
Rich Green is promoted to executive
vice president for worldwide sales at
Realogy, Madison.
Sherry A. Varrelman is named
senior vice president and regional
wealth leader at TD Wealth®
Private
Client Group for the Pennsylvania,
Southern New Jersey and Central
New Jersey region.
Elizabeth Garcia is appointed
chair of the labor and employment
practice group at Parker McCay,
Mount Laurel.
Jason Kroll is named vice president
for university advancement at
Monmouth University, West Long
Branch.
Melissa Sievwright is appointed as-
sistant vice president of marketing at
Levin Management, North Plainfield.
Patrick Migliaccio is promoted to
treasurer of New Jersey Resources,
Wall.
NAMES IN THE NEWS
Gary Terrinoni is
named executive
vice president of
administration
and chief financial
officer for Kennedy
Health System,
Voorhees.