Wear Blue for Men's Health!

Join us in celebrating Men's Health Month! The Men's Health Network and Congress created this special awareness period to educate men, boys, and their families about the importance of good health habits and preventive care.

By staying informed and accessing health screenings and treatment, men are more likely to lead healthier lives. Healthy fathers also set a fantastic example, leading to happier and healthier children.

Celebrating Men's Health Month Throughout Our Tribal Nation

This Men's Health Month, MACT Health Board is dedicated to empowering our male patients with vital health knowledge. Did you know that Native American men face significantly shorter life expectancies and higher death rates compared to all other racial groups? This stark reality underscores the critical importance of proactive health.

Men's Health Month shines a light on a broad range of men's health issues, emphasizing preventive care and early detection screenings. These include:

Heart disease
Mental health
Diabetes
Prostate, testicular, and colon cancer

Early detection and regular health screenings are key to a healthier, more informed lifestyle for men. We strongly encourage all men to increase their awareness of leading a healthier life through regular exercise and consistent medical check-ups.

Consider these important male health screenings:

Annual dental exam
Cholesterol and blood pressure checks
Blood draw screenings (for diabetes, kidney function, heart disease)
Thyroid screening
Prostate cancer screening
Colon cancer screening
Lung cancer screening
Osteoporosis screening

Don't wait! Call your MACT Health Board Clinic today to schedule your annual physical exam. During this appointment, your provider will discuss all other important screenings tailored to your needs.

Men's Health with Dr. Pettersen M.D.

How do you like to support men's health at MACT?

I choose an individualized and tailored approach to healthcare for men. When creating a care plan, I consider age, family history of disease, and especially habits (particularly the unhealthy ones). There isn't one set path; instead, it's a tailored approach that takes these major variables into account.

What important lifestyle changes do you recommend to men to help them maintain a healthy weight and prevent chronic illness?

As boring as it sounds, it's the same old answer you always hear from your physician:

At least a yearly visit with your physician for a physical exam and evaluation for labs and screenings.
Avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking, heavy drinking, or drug use.
Integrate a daily regimen of exercise with a healthy diet, typically focused on fruits and vegetables and limiting cholesterol-laden animal proteins.

What advice can you provide for men looking to improve their health?

Men should prioritize regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management, along with regular health check-ups and screenings. Get all your screenings done as they're recommended for the purpose of detecting disease early on! Additionally, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking are crucial. It's not an easy task, but I feel it's doable and, in the long run, will promote a long and meaningful lifespan!

~ Dr. Pettersen, M.D.

Eye Health For Everyone! With Dr. Zadran

A retinal eye exam is a key part of maintaining good eye health. During this exam, your eye doctor looks at the retina (the back part of your eye), where light is processed so you can see. This helps them check for eye diseases and even spot signs of other health problems.

Here’s why retinal eye exams matter:

Catch eye diseases early: Problems like glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and diabetic eye disease often don't cause symptoms at first. A retinal exam can find these early before they affect your vision.
Monitor long-term health issues: If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, these can affect your eyes. A retinal exam helps keep track of any changes and protects your vision.
Check your overall health: The retina is the only place in the body where doctors can see your blood vessels directly. That means signs of other conditions—like diabetes, high blood pressure, or even stroke risk—can show up in your eyes.
Protect your sight: The sooner a problem is found, the easier it is to treat. Regular retinal exams are one of the best ways to prevent serious vision loss.

Who should get a retinal eye exam?

Everyone should get regular eye exams, but retinal imaging is especially important if you:

Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health conditions.
Have a family history of eye disease.
Notice changes in your vision.

Your vision matters, don’t wait to get your eyes checked!

Retinal Eye Exams Now Available at MACT Medical Clinics!

All MACT Medical Clinics now have set days during each month where diabetic patients will be able to get scheduled with MACT's Medical Assistant Alma Koenig if they are due for a retinal eye exam.

This can be a quick process, which also requires NO dilation in order to complete. She will be able to take a photo which gets sent back to our MACT Optometry Department. They will reach out to you with your results. Call your Native American Services Case Manager or your clinic to get scheduled, or Alma may reach out to you directly when she is notified you are due for your retinal exam.

Summer Safety Tips from Your NAS Team

Summer is here, and the heat isn’t far behind! Here are some tips and reminders for the season:

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather reports and extreme heat warnings. Peak heat hours are included on most weather reports.
Dress Smart: Dress for the weather; lightweight, loose-fitting clothing can help keep you cool.
Reduce Exposure: Reduce your exposure to the heat by running errands earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is setting.
Limit Time in Sun: When you can't avoid the sun, limit the time you will be in the heat.
Seek Shade & Use Sunscreen: Stay in the shade if you can and make sure to use sunscreen to protect your skin (remember to re-apply).
Cool Down: Try taking a cool shower or bath if you're feeling too warm, even a cool damp cloth on your neck can help.
Stay Hydrated: Stay hydrated but avoid caffeinated drinks as they can dehydrate you.
Check on Loved Ones: Remember to check in on your family, friends and neighbors, especially those who might be more susceptible to heat-related illness, like older adults or those with young children and infants.

We hope you have a fun and safe summer!

~ Your NAS Team

Getting to Know Renee Hobbs: Celebrating 20 Years With MACT!

Renee Hobbs started with MACT in 2005. She worked in the Native Department for the first three years of her career, and has been in the billing department for the last 17 years. Renee really enjoys her job in dental billing. She appreciates our great billing staff, and wonderful coworkers, all with different strengths.

MACT has treated her and everyone else really well with the benefits they provide. MACT has seen several different directors over the past 20 years and with John Alexander's direction, Renee feels MACT has grown and done really well.

Her advice for new people: Apply! If you need a good job with good benefits, definitely apply, whether you are Native or not. However, there is Native preference. MACT is a really wonderful place to work!

Upcoming Events & Holidays

MACT's Native Kids Camp in Tahoma, CA: June 23rd-27th (booked out)
Sonora Mother Lode Fair: June 26th - 29th

June MACT Newsletter