Shattering stigma: Helping male patients navigate 4 common men’s health challenges

By WebMD Ignite

Every year, the month of June draws attention to an often neglected and stigmatized topic - men’s health. Men face unique health challenges and their health encompasses a wide variety of factors, ranging from physical fitness to mental well-being.

Here are the four most common men’s health challenges and how providers can help patients navigate them.

1. Heart disease

The No. 1 cause of death for men, regardless of race or ethnicity, is heart disease (CDC). Compared to women, men are more likely to smoke, drink too much, and abuse a substance (NIH). There are also unique heart risk factors for men such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and low testosterone (Johns Hopkins Medicine). Raymond Turley, BSN MSN, a clinician with WebMD Ignite, said that “heart disease hits men at an earlier age and they are more likely to not notice their symptoms and work through the discomfort.” Turley added that men often  won’t get checked out and a lot of older generations don’t trust doctors. Self-diagnosis and confusion with other diseases like asthma is another reason why many men don’t seek timely treatments. 

Healthcare providers have a big role to play in educating their patients about heart disease, including the risks and symptoms. Providers can help patients make connections between seemingly unrelated conditions like ED and heart disease. In addition to having these conversations, having educational materials (like our cardiology HealthPrints or other digital health content) to give away during check-ups can make an even greater impact. 

2. Cancer

After heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death among men (CDC). One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, while one in 263 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer (NIH). Lung and colorectal cancers also disproportionately affect men, who have a higher cancer mortality rate compared to women (NIH). Early detection and timely intervention are paramount and healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in helping patients be more proactive. 

Turley says that financial stress is one of the main reasons why men avoid getting age-appropriate screenings. However, most insurance companies pay for annual physicals and if conducted during this time, cancer screenings are covered. Providing your patients with this information, informing them about the risk factors and symptoms, sending them frequent reminders, and having conversations with them about their financial options can all significantly increase the chances of early detection. 

3. Unintentional injuries

Following heart disease and cancer, unintentional injuries are the third leading cause of death among men (CDC). In fact, men are twice as likely to die due to unintentional injuries compared to women (MI Blues). Turley believes that the reason for this disparity is that men are more likely to abuse a substance, engage in risky behaviors due to societal norms, are more likely to have labor-intensive jobs with occupational hazards, and are more likely than women to avoid following safety regulations. 

As a provider, you can customize your intake form by asking about substance abuse history, occupational hazards, and recreational interests to gauge the risk of unintentional injuries. Additionally, screening your patients regularly for drug and alcohol use and informing them about the importance of using safety equipment can help your patients avoid unintentional injuries. 

4. Mental health

While the younger generation has made great strides in communicating their mental health needs, men’s mental health has historically been a highly stigmatized topic. While the rate of suicide is highest among middle-aged white men, Turley highlights that the average American male will shy away from seeking therapy, not wanting to seem “mentally weak.” Furthermore, the financial stress of providing for one’s family can be a source of depression and anxiety among many men. 

Providers can help break the stigma by engaging in open conversations with male patients and looking for signs of stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Additionally, you can provide your patients with personalized and financially viable mental health resources proactively. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports men are 24% less likely to visit the doctor annually. Many men view doctor’s visits as a waste of time and money if they aren’t sick or exhibiting symptoms. Heart disease, cancers, and mental health (especially stress) are all interconnected and the ways to address them are not mutually exclusive. 

By providing patient education, encouraging regular health screenings, and having conversations about mental health, providers can help men prioritize their health and foster proactive self-care. 

See how we can support your patient or member education efforts. Learn more →

Sources:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/basics/mens-health/hlv-20049438
• https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/lcod/men/2016/all-races-origins/index.htm
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/substance-use-in-women/sex-gender-differences-in-substance-use
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/special-heart-risks-for-men
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5005081/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%20and%20worldwide%2C%20the%20prevalence%20of%20prostate,be%20diagnosed%20with%20testicular%20cancer
• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics#:~:text=The%20cancer%20mortality%20rate%20is,and%20135.7%20per%20100%2C000%20women)
• https://www.mibluesperspectives.com/stories/for-you/why-men-are-at-a-higher-risk-for-unintentional-injury-and-death
• https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/