How long has it been since you've been to the doctor when you weren't sick? For most men, going to the doctor when we're well is just not something we do-which may be part of the reason men's life expectancy is shorter than women's by about five years.

Even young, healthy men need preventive care-because having routine physicals and screenings is the basis for staying healthy. Don't let yourself put off your next physical based on lack of time or money, or because you think there's no advantage. During regular physicals, your doctor or healthcare provider will screen for diseases, assess your risk of developing future medical problems, update your vaccinations and keep you informed of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Plus, it's always a good idea to have an established relationship with your physician in case you do get sick and need prolonged medical care.

No matter what your age, every man should know four basic numbers: your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose (blood sugar) and BMI (body mass index). These four numbers are key indicators of your overall health. You can learn more about how to monitor your numbers at missionknowyournumbers.org.

Click here for a chart indicating basic health screenings for most men. Talk to your doctor about other tests you may need.