SLCH Partners Up On Inaugural Men’s Health Day

NEWBURGH – As part of its National Men’s Health Month recognition, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) recently teamed up with the Moulton Memorial Baptist Church to host the first Men’s Health & Wellness Day at the church’s Newburgh location. The day included presentations by four local physicians on prevention, early detection and treatment strategies for common health issues.

Dr. Praneeth Vemulapalli, Co-Chair of SLCH Urology Services, began the event with a presentation on the risk factors, symptoms, detection and treatment of prostate cancer. Dr. Vemulapalli’s talk stressed the importance of communication between doctors and patients to facilitate the most informed decisions regarding any screening and treatment for the disease.

Dr. James DiLorenzo of the St. Luke’s Cornwall Medical Group addressed the audience on the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular issues, colon cancer and lung cancer. A primary care physician, Dr. DiLorenzo encouraged regular check-ups to help identify any changes in a person’s health that could signal an issue requiring attention.

The third presentation of the day was given by Dr. Wasik Ashraf, a member of the SLCH orthopedic surgery team. Dr. Ashraf discussed advancements in pain prevention techniques related to surgery that reduces the need for prescription opioids. He also discussed the increased safeguards that have been implemented, such as a national opioid prescription database, to help prevent patients from abusing their prescribed pain medications.

The event wrapped up with a discussion of cardiovascular health by Crystal Run Healthcare cardiologist Dr. Balaji Pratap. Dr. Pratap gave an overview of risk factors and lifestyle choices that affect the health of the heart and blood vessels, and discussed different methods of determining future risk of coronary problems.

Men’s Health Month, started in 1996, was created to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.