Men are encouraged to prioritize their health
Fort Walton Beach, FL. – June 17, 2026 – June is National Men’s Health Month, and HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is encouraging dads, grandpas, sons and the people who love them to make their health a priority. Taking steps such as scheduling cancer screenings and an annual checkup with a primary care doctor make a big difference in getting and staying healthier.
Healthcare providers continue to be concerned that many men delay routine care or avoid medical appointments until symptoms become serious. National Men’s Health Month serves as an opportunity to remind men that early detection saves lives. Preventive screenings can help identify conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and other health concerns before they progress.
“Men often put the needs of their families, careers and responsibilities ahead of their own health,” said Dr. Dan Hagler, Chief Medical Officer with HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital “National Men’s Health Month provides a timely reminder that taking care of yourself is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. Preventive screenings and healthy lifestyle habits can help identify health concerns early, when they are often easier to treat.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States, while more than half of adult men have high blood pressure and nearly 40% are living with obesity.
HCA Florida Healthcare physicians recommend men discuss age-appropriate screenings with their healthcare provider, including:
- Annual blood pressure screenings
- Cholesterol testing based on age and risk factors
- Diabetes screening beginning at age 45 or earlier for those at increased risk
- Colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45
- Prostate cancer screening discussions beginning around age 45
- Mental health evaluations when experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression
- Routine wellness exams throughout adulthood
Because heart disease often develops silently, doctors encourage men to better understand their cardiovascular risk. HCA Florida Healthcare offers a free online Heart Health Assessment that can help individuals identify potential risk factors and determine whether they may benefit from additional medical evaluation. You can take the Heart Health Assessment at this link: Heart Health Assessment.
“Many men don’t realize they have risk factors for heart disease until they experience a major health event,” said Dr. Hagler. “A simple health assessment and routine screening can provide valuable information and help people take action before problems develop.”
As Florida’s largest healthcare network, HCA Florida Healthcare connects patients to a comprehensive network of care across the state. With more than 670 care sites, including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms, patients have access to specialized services close to home. Shared electronic records across the network help create a seamless experience, ensuring providers have access to important health information wherever patients receive care.
For more information or to find a physician near you, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
About HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital:
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is a 331-bed full-service hospital. It is the only Level II Trauma Center in the Tri-County Area, with nearly 400 highly respected and qualified physicians. For women and children services and has the area's only in-house midwifery program. Its expanded emergency services include 24/7 HCA Florida Destin Emergency, 24/7 HCA Florida Navarre Emergency, and the full-service 24/7 HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Emergency. It is the only acute care hospital in the Tri-County area that offers open heart surgery, an Accredited Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an Accredited Chest Pain Center, and a Cancer Care Center that is accredited by the Commission on Cancer and an Associate of the UAB Birmingham Health System Cancer Community Network. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is the only inpatient acute care rehab facility in the tri-county area – HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center, located in Destin, FL.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
