Men's Health Matters: Dr. Thomas Falletta on Prevention, Wellness, and Living a Longer, Healthier Life

At Best Ever You, we believe that taking care of ourselves is one of the most important investments we can make. While many conversations about health focus on treatment, prevention remains one of the most powerful tools available for improving both longevity and quality of life.

In recognition of Men's Health Month, we're pleased to feature Dr. Thomas Falletta, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, Clinical Coordinator of MSN/FNP Programs for the University of Phoenix College of Nursing. With two decades of experience in healthcare and a clinical background in primary care, Dr. Falletta is passionate about helping individuals understand the importance of preventive care, healthy lifestyle choices, and early intervention.

In this interview, Dr. Falletta discusses some of the most common health concerns men face, why routine screenings matter, the impact of stress and emotional wellness on physical health, and practical steps men can take to prioritize their well-being. His message is both simple and powerful: investing in your health today can significantly improve the quality of your life for years to come.

Thomas Falletta, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, Clinical Coordinator of MSN/FNP Programs for the University of Phoenix College of Nursing.

Share a little about your background and your work at the University of Phoenix.

I'm a board-certified nurse practitioner practicing primary care here in Arizona. My clinical work centers on preventative care and wellness for adults.

At University of Phoenix, I serve as faculty in the College of Nursing. I have been in healthcare for 20 years and have been training future nurses and healthcare providers for most of that time. 

June is Men's Health Month. Why is this conversation especially important right now?

The basic numbers still aren't where they should be. In the most recent CDC data, men in the U.S. live about 4.9 years less than women on average, 76.5 years versus 81.4. A large share of that gap traces back to conditions we already know how to catch early: heart disease, several cancers, diabetes, and the downstream effects of untreated high blood pressure. Heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries together account for roughly 70% of all deaths.

This is important because the data suggest men are not taking advantage of prevention and disease interventions that can certainly help to mitigate these common chronic diseases. 

Why do you think many men continue delaying routine checkups, screenings, and preventive care?

Part of this is related to healthcare accessibility, which is another topic in itself. Men may be more likely to not complain about issues and may feel pressured to be ‘stoic’. 

In my opinion, another important distinction is that disease (and prevention) may not be well explained to men or patients in general, at least to a point where they can understand the importance of prevention and early intervention. 

What are some of the most common health concerns men may be overlooking or avoiding?

Cardiovascular disease is the big one, and it's often silent until it isn't. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and rising blood sugar can go unnoticed for years, which is exactly why they get missed without routine labs. Early type 2 diabetes works the same way.

Cancer screening is another gap, especially colorectal cancer, which is showing up in younger men now and is highly preventable through screening. Prostate health deserves a real conversation with a clinician rather than guesswork or avoidance. Beyond those, I'd add mental health, sleep problems, and alcohol use. Men tend to underreport all three, and they quietly drive a lot of the physical problems that surface later.

How do stress, work pressure, emotional wellness, and mental health impact overall physical health in men?

Life and societal pressures are real, and they have significant effects in the long run. Chronic stress keeps the body in a low-grade fight-or-flight state, which raises blood pressure, disrupts sleep, pushes blood sugar up, and nudges people toward food, alcohol, or tobacco to cope. Over years, that adds up to measurable cardiovascular and metabolic risk.

Men also tend to show distress differently. Instead of saying they feel down, many report irritability, fatigue, poor sleep, or physical aches, and those get treated as separate complaints when they're often the same underlying problem. Mental health is hugely important and really effects everything, including the willingness to seek and obtain care for ailments.

Many men are taught to "push through" discomfort or avoid vulnerability. How does that mindset sometimes create long-term health risks?

This is extremely important! There are certain societal pressures and ‘expectations’ from men. This can simply be men trying to live up to what they think the image of a man should be. This often includes being stoic, showing toughness, and essentially being immune to ailments. I think this is slowly shifting in the other direction but not enough. 

Everything in healthcare is essentially about risk. How do we screen for it, recognize it, and modify it. Anything that gets in the way of that threatens us all as humans. 

What are some simple, realistic steps men can take to become more proactive about their health and wellness?

Start by having a primary care clinician you actually see, even once a year. That one relationship is what connects the dots between your blood pressure, your labs, your family history, and the screenings you're due for. If scheduling is the barrier, many practices now offer evening hours and virtual visits. Accessibility is still an issue all over the country, in different ways. 

Two easy recommendations would be to look for a practice (if possible) that offers flexibility and a provider that takes the time to listen and engage. Secondly, men need to do the same. They need to plan to engage and educate themselves on some basic risk factors and screenings. The information is publicly available but should really be guided by a provider in that relationship. 

How can families, partners, and communities encourage men to prioritize preventive care without creating shame or pressure?

Shame is a poor motivator and usually produces more avoidance, not less. What works better is making the healthy choice the easy and normal one. Partners often play a real role here, and that's a good thing, but the framing matters. "I'd like you around for a long time, so let's both get our checkups this year" lands very differently than something negatively charged.

One very important thing is support and walking the ‘walk’. This means anyone involved should be doing the same thing and making healthier choices themselves. A perfect illustrative example would be asking someone to quit alcohol use but continuing to use it yourself.

What role does emotional wellness, connection, sleep, stress management, and lifestyle balance play in long-term health outcomes?

In short, a big role. This was discussed a bit in an earlier answer, but it is worth repeating. 

Stress management isn't about eliminating stress, which isn't possible, but about having reliable ways to discharge it that aren't alcohol or overwork. The key concept I tell patients is that you have to start with intention. Healthier life choices will not happen by chance; they are the product of intentional work. This is also related to prioritization. We need to start prioritizing our health, wellness, adequate sleep, regular exercise, etc. Taking small steps, leading to more steps, eventually make a meaningful impact on long term outcomes and the QUALITY of your life in between.

If you could leave readers with one message about men's health, prevention, and taking care of themselves, what would you most want them to remember?

I would start with the message that we are not talking about an eventual death, but the quality of our lives until that date. Investing in yourself is ALWAYS a smart choice that pays dividends. Lastly, intention is everything. Like most things in life, anything worthwhile seems difficult at first. Basic prevention and longevity practices realistically do not take much time or effort, once you understand what to do. Either way, there is more support all around than ever. Choose yourself. 

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We hope you found this conversation with Dr. Thomas Falletta informative and encouraging. His insights serve as an important reminder that good health is not built through a single decision but through consistent, intentional choices made over time.

Whether it's scheduling an annual checkup, prioritizing better sleep, managing stress, becoming more physically active, or simply paying closer attention to your overall well-being, small steps can create meaningful long-term results. As Dr. Falletta emphasizes, preventive care is not simply about extending life—it's about improving the quality of the years we have.

At Best Ever You, we believe that health, wellness, and personal growth are deeply connected. By choosing to care for ourselves, we create greater opportunities to show up fully for our families, communities, and the people who matter most.

Thank you for reading and sharing this information with others.

Pause. Breathe. Choose.

When you grow, the world grows with you.