With men’s health care, there are at least 25 percent of men that do not visit a doctor for regular check-ups and care, and when they do seek care, they will go to an emergency room instead. This is partly due to longstanding adverse attitudes they have regarding their health and going to the doctor. This health-care-averse group accounts for about a third of inpatient stays at a hospital, and once they are admitted, generally take longer to recover. In fact, men who are apart of the minority population are even less likely than their counterpart to visit a doctor on a regular basis. These men usually don’t have health insurance which means they don’t have access to a clinic or health care facility to receive quality health care. Some do have Medicare, but even with that, there can be significant financial obstacles which keep these men from important health care services, such as screenings for colon and prostate cancer.
Here are some of the health screenings that are recommended for men’s health care, regardless of their backgrounds:
- Blood pressure – Men should have their blood pressure checked every two years.
- Diabetes – A diabetes test is needed in order to find out if a man has high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Either condition mixed with diabetes can cause serious health issues.
- Sexually transmitted diseases – Men should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases if they are sexually active. With the spread of HIV and AIDS, it’s critical that they undergo testing. This is even more crucial for minorities, which account for most of the HIV and AIDS cases in the country.
- Colorectal cancer – When a man turns 50 years old, they should submit to regular screening for colorectal cancer. They should check with their doctor to determine what tests they need to take. Depending on which tests they take will determine how often they need to be tested.
- Blood cholesterol – Men should have their cholesterol tested at least every five years, beginning at 35 years old. However, if you are a smoker, and have heart disease or diabetes, they should start getting it tested at 20 years old. The risk is greater if you have other health issues.
- Prostate cancer – Men should start getting tested for prostate cancer at 40 years old. Your doctor will be able to discuss the pros and cons about screening for this disease, especially if you are getting a PSA test or a digital rectal exam.
Since men tend to delay health screenings and check-ups in general, it’s a good idea if they have a buddy or a spouse to give them a friendly reminder.
