Guys: Got a nagging health concern? MENtion it!
“You’d do anything for your loved ones, but what about you? “
The Cleveland Clinic in the US ran a great campaign called MENtion it in 2019. They surveyed 1200 men between the ages of 18-70 years old. Here’s the interesting info that they found:
72% of men would rather do household chores like cleaning the toilet than go to the doctor!
77% of partnered men prefer to shop with their partner rather than go to the doctor.
A separate study showed that women in the 20-40 years old age group went to their general practice twice as often as men. The reasons for this gap are varied and complex.
Maintaining an identity as a ‘real man’ may cause some men to play down symptoms, so they’re not being entirely honest about them. Research found that while 20% of men had not been fully honest with their doctor, 46% of those men withheld information out of embarrassment. So this means men may delay seeking help until only absolutely necessary and may be more likely to resist treatment when it is offered.
Men’s knowledge about health also plays a part. Research suggests that men’s health literacy is less than half that of women. In order to look after your health and wellbeing, a reasonable degree of knowledge is important. This helps you identify signs and symptoms and when to exercise caution and use preventative measures, or seek a health practitioner.
Men are also greater risk takers than women. They are more likely to partake in risky behaviour such as not exercising, eating a poor quality diet, cutting sleep short and drinking excessive alcohol or smoking.
With all this in mind, it’s really important for us to have this conversation and raise awareness for men’s health issues. As evidenced, men tend to over look their own health. They put their families first and leave it until later stages to assess their own health.
Yet men have a higher risk of many serious health issues like heart disease, cancer and even flu, pneumonia, mental health/suicide and Covid.
Nearly 20% of men will die before their 65th birthday.
A large percentage of these deaths are unnecessary and can be prevented.
Cleveland Clinic’s MENtion survey found that:
41% of men were told as children that men don’t complain about health issues.
That thinking does not help men.
We need to raise awareness in order to shift men’s attitudes and behaviours that give rise to some of their greater health challenges.
82% of men have said there was an incentive to try to stay healthy to live longer for friends and family who rely on them - yet only 50% of them engage in preventative healthcare.
Guys, if you’re reading this, then you’re half way there to taking action, before it’s too late.
Book a call by dropping me a line. We’ll talk about whatever is concerning you in your health and get you on the road to being better. I can offer practical advice for living at your best, from diet and digestion, to mood, sleep improvement and exercise - we can get you living healthier, smarter and longer.