It is time to talk about men, and a view that needs to be considered: Why do men die before women? Many are decorated heroes, others are private heroes who do their duty every day to support and protect their families, and to enrich the lives of people they love. Most men work hard with little thought of their own health. Men’s lifestyles are not conducive to a long and healthy life ”“ although, they are doing better.

We have done a spectacular job learning about the unique biology of women in the past 20 years; it is now time to turn a gender-specific lens on men. Let’s learn how best to improve and prolong their lives. We need to think about, and ultimately understand, why men, on average, die younger than women. It is time to acknowledge and correct that grim statistic. It is time to spend some concentrated thought on what in men’s biology makes them unique, and how society conditions and trains them. It is also time to protect men from premature death and debilitating illness.

I question why men succumb earlier than women, and what can be done to reverse the trend.

Any significant project in the health field involves a large number of people. Some organizations are already working on the issue, like the College of the Holy Cross, University of Maine, American Assembly for Men in Nursing.

On the issue of men’s health, the John Hopkins University Press suggests that the self-care needed to stay well and to age well depends on how men think about themselves as older men. They can extend the quality of their everyday lives and their bodies’ health by eating well, remaining active, taking some time for themselves and managing stress. It is important to stay engaged in relationships with family, friends and community.

This information is for men but also helps women to understand brothers, fathers and husbands. Working to make men’s lives physically and emotionally healthier can pay enormous dividends. Medical experts estimate that maintaining just four healthy habits ”“ not smoking, being physically active, eating well, and scheduling regular, preventive medical visits ”“ can delay the life-altering disabilities associated with many chronic illnesses for as much as 20 years.

Men’s lifestyle habits are a major part of the issue. According to the National Survey of Drug Abuse and Health, the evidence is that substance abuse is increasing. In such cases, men need reliable information and support.

Our Father’s House Recovery Center, founded in 2003 by Pastor Richard Martin, is an addiction treatment facility that works with outpatients struggling to overcome their vices. Its original focus was on helping men with addiction, but it is now open to women as well.

The center, located at 325 North St. in Saco, is hosting its fifth annual Sober Festival “Came to Believe,” which began Friday and continues today, Aug. 2. A full day of fun and fellowship is scheduled, Martin said, including a pulled pork lunch, music, moon bounce for the kids, dunk tank and raffles. This is a drug- and alcohol-free day with AA/NA meetings held throughout the day.

For more information, call Martin at 467-5697.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.