"The best Father's Day gift isn't something you can wrap — it's more years together.
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Every June, the same question comes around: what do you get Dad for Father’s Day? You start searching, and the ads roll in: grilling tools, novelty socks, another tie he'll wear twice.
The most valuable thing you can give dad isn’t something you buy on Amazon. This year, give the gift of time. Lifestyle and preventive medicine is surprisingly good at handing it out, if you know where to look.
Here’s a truth: American men die nearly five years earlier than women, and a large share of that gap is preventable. Men go to the doctor less, get fewer screening tests and tend to treat their bodies the way they treat the check-engine light: ignore it until something fails.
The good news? The high-risk issues that kill men early are largely detectable and treatable, if you catch them before they cause damage. So this Father’s Day, consider nudging Dad (or yourself) toward these five healthy habits and five screening tests that can add years to life.
Here are 10 evidence-based steps – 5 habits and 5 screening tests – that every Dad and the people who love him should know about. Research shows that men who adopt healthy habits and stay on top of their screenings can add more than a decade to their lives.
Smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of early death in men. Never smoking alone is linked to a 13% lower risk of dying from any cause, with even stronger effects in men than women. The good news: quitting at any age makes a real difference. If Dad still smokes, help him find a quit plan: call 1-800-QUIT-NOW together, download a quit-smoking app, or ask his doctor about medications that can double his chances of success.
Just 30 minutes a day of moderate activity, for example a brisk walk, a bike ride, shooting hoops with the kids, is one of the strongest predictors of a longer life. In one study, physically active men lived an average of 3.5 years longer than sedentary men. Make it a family affair: plan a Father’s Day hike, sign up for a local 5K together or challenge dad to a daily step-count competition.
Poor diet is the number-one risk factor for disease in men worldwide. But eating well doesn’t have to be complicated. For example, eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and cut down on processed food, red meat and sodium. Kids and partners can help by cooking a healthy meal for dad, trying a new recipe together each week, or swapping out one unhealthy snack for a better option. Small changes add up.
Maintaining a healthy weight (BMI under 25) and minimizing alcohol — or ditching it altogether — are two more pillars of longevity. Help Dad by stocking the fridge with healthier options and suggesting fun, active outings instead of food- or drink-centered ones.
Loneliness and social isolation are serious health risks, especially for men. Socially isolated men have a significantly higher risk of early death. Meanwhile, getting 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night is now recognized as a key part of heart health. Encourage Dad to stay involved — join a club, volunteer, stay in touch with friends — and help him prioritize a consistent sleep schedule. A Father’s Day tradition of regular family dinners or weekly phone calls can make a lasting difference.
High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms. Yet it’s one of the biggest risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Nearly 1 in 3 men with high blood pressure don't know they have it. The fix is simple: a blood pressure check takes less than a minute at any doctor's visit, pharmacy or even at home with an inexpensive cuff. Buy Dad a home blood pressure monitor this Father's Day and encourage him to check it regularly.
High cholesterol silently clogs arteries for years before causing a heart attack or stroke. Guidelines recommend that all men aged 40–75 have their cholesterol checked regularly, because this is the window where treatment — whether lifestyle changes or a statin — has the greatest impact. Ask Dad when he last had a lipid panel. If he can't remember, it's time to schedule one.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in men, but it’s also one of the most preventable cancers when caught early through screening. Screening should begin at age 45 for average-risk adults. Options include a colonoscopy every 10 years, a stool-based test (like FIT) every year, or a stool DNA test every 3 years. If Dad is 45 or older and hasn't been screened, help him schedule it. If he's nervous about a colonoscopy, remind him that a simple at-home stool test is also an effective option.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Yet screening is not one-size-fits-all. The USPSTF recommends that men aged 55–69 have a conversation with their doctor about whether PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing is right for them. This is to help them weigh the potential benefits of early detection against the risks of overdiagnosis and treatment side effects. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk and may benefit from starting this conversation earlier, as early as age 40–45. Encourage dad to bring it up at his next visit.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dangerous bulge in the body’s largest artery that can rupture without warning, with a death rate as high as 81%. The USPSTF recommends a one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65–75 who have ever smoked, even if they quit decades ago. This painless, 10-minute test can detect an aneurysm before it becomes life-threatening. If dad is in this age range and has any history of smoking, make sure he's had this screening.
Ultimately, none of this requires a concierge-medicine membership or a biohacking budget. It requires a few appointments, a willingness to ask for the right tests by name, and a son or daughter who cares enough to push.
So this Father’s Day, by all means, fire up the grill. But somewhere between the burgers and the bad dad jokes, ask him when he last saw his doctor. If he hasn’t been recently, and offer to help him make the call. The tie will be in a drawer by August. Giving dad a Father’s Day gift of a few more Father's Days are worth infinitely more.
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