Thursday, October 1, 2026
Q: Tell me about yourself.
A: Gupta: Dr. Ravi Gupta, chair and residency director of the Department of Medicine at Episcopal Health Services joined Episcopal Health Services earlier this year after serving in several leadership positions at NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk, Mount Sinai and Lutheran Medical Center/NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn. I bring nearly 25 years of experience in academic medicine, physician leadership and graduate medical education. I started my career at SUNY Downstate, where I attended medical school, and then I completed my residency and chief residency at Brown University in Rhode Island. I stayed on there as a faculty member and associate program director, where I worked closely with medical students and residents while helping lead inpatient medical services.
Q: Why is it important to recognize Men’s Health Awareness Month?
A: Gupta: It’s critically important because men are generally much less likely to seek preventative and primary care. Many men don’t engage proactively with physicians, and that leads to poorer health outcomes. Gupta explained that many serious health conditions affecting men — including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer — are far more manageable when identified early. Routine screenings, regular primary care visits and paying attention to changes in your health can make a significant difference in both quality of life and long-term outcomes. Preventive care is one of the most important steps men can take to protect their health.
Q: Why do many men avoid going to the doctor?
A: Gupta: Social stigma and cultural expectations often prevent men from seeking care. A lot of men feel that asking for help makes them appear weak. There’s a belief that they should push through pain or deal with issues on their own. He added that mental health concerns are especially underreported among men. Many men silently struggle with stress, anxiety, depression or substance use issues without speaking to a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, delaying care can lead to much more serious health problems later on.
Q: What are simple ways men can improve their health?
A: Gupta: Gupta emphasized the importance of establishing care with a primary care physician and scheduling annual physicals and preventive screenings. At the most basic level, men should use the healthcare resources available to them. He encouraged men to regularly monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, since heart disease, hypertension and diabetes remain some of the most common conditions affecting men. Gupta also stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, along with regular physical activity, quality sleep and stress management. Men often ignore symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored,” he said. “It’s not normal to constantly be in pain or experience worsening symptoms over time. He also advised men to avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption to improve cardiovascular and overall health.
Q: Why should men’s health be highlighted in the media?
A: Gupta: Increasing awareness can help normalize preventive care and encourage more men to take ownership of their health. We need to make men feel engaged in the process of their own healthcare. Too often, someone else in the family is encouraging them to go to the doctor or schedule appointments. Gupta said Episcopal Health Services continues expanding primary and preventive care services throughout the Far Rockaway region to improve access for residents. We hope that by expanding services and increasing access to providers, we can have a real impact on the health of the community. To learn more about Primary Care services available through Episcopal Health Services or to schedule an appointment, call 718-EHS-DOCS (347-3627) or visit ehs.org/services/primary-care/.
