You probably don’t need much more evidence—or convincing—that men and women view the world a little bit differently, but it might be worth considering how these differences really impact us in terms of our healthcare—and therefore our overall health and longevity.
As a rule, women are more likely than men to seek out and receive preventive healthcare services. However, when it comes to serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, men are the ones who are most likely to need hospitalization. The fact that women are more likely to take a proactive approach to healthcare might actually contribute to the fact that men tend to die at a younger age. Although genetics and lifestyle differences play a role in shortening the average male lifespan, the healthcare choices men make may also help determine the length and quality of their lives.
How Women Can Encourage Men to Be More Conscientious About Healthcare
Jokes about some men being willing to remove their own appendix in the garage before visiting a doctor may inspire laughter; but the impact of not getting appropriate healthcare is no laughing matter. Not only do many men skip life-saving preventive healthcare altogether, but some even ignore symptoms of serious illnesses until their condition has become quite severe and more difficult to treat.
Women, on the other hand, tend to understand the importance of preventive healthcare. Screenings for conditions like breast or colon cancer afford the opportunity to detect and treat serious conditions before they advance and require more aggressive care. When the woman in a man’s life explains her concerns and urges him to look after his own health, he may become more willing to visit the doctor.
Health Conditions Men Should Worry About
There are many illnesses that do occur more frequently in women than in men. However, men are far from immune to serious health conditions, and many of these are far too dangerous to ignore. That’s why doctors recommend a range of health screenings for men, including:
- Prostate Cancer
- Cholesterol
- Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Bone Density
- Vitamin D
- Colonoscopy
- Eye Exam
- Testicular Cancer
In some cases, preventive treatment isn’t about saving your life but rather about preserving or improving its quality. For example, regular chiropractic treatments can help you maintain the health of your musculoskeletal and nervous systems so that you can avoid common problems and remain active.
For some men, understanding the kinds of health risks they face and the value of preventive healthcare is enough motivation for them to get regular screenings and be mindful of potential problems. And while the general tendency is for women to take a more active role in their own healthcare, not every woman does. This means that there will always be those men who take steps to remain healthy and those women who avoid going to the doctor whenever they can. But research and clinical experience both tell us that people of both genders and all ages benefit from a proactive approach to health and healthcare.