Every man for his health: Four ways healthcare providers can support men’s wellness

June isn't just about celebrating dads on Father's Day, it's also the perfect time to think about how healthcare providers can better support men's health during Men's Health Month.

Most of the discussion on what's missing from men's health tends to focus on the fact that men are less likely to seek routine or preventative care.

Some males are well-informed and seek routine care, but many still are not, said Michael J. Rovito, Ph.D., an assistant professor of health sciences at the University of Central Florida and founder/chairman of The Male Wellness Collective.

“We are finding that many men and boys know what to do, but they don't have many opportunities to seek proper help, or they lack the social support structures to actually go get help with something," Rovito noted. “Our work is cut out for us to help erase some of the gender health disparity present among males and females."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 percent of men aged 18 and over are in "fair" or "poor" health. Between 2013 and 2016, more than 36 percent of men over age 20 had obesity. Additionally, more than 33 percent have hypertension and/or take medication for it. Those are a few health ailments that are linked to more serious ones such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart attack.

Though there have been strides to encourage men to seek regular medical care and screenings, some experts believe the biggest hurdle to improving men's health is fostering better dialogue.

“I think everyone is to blame. We are all complicit," Rovito said. “We act like guys shouldn't cry or seek help or confide in others. This type of 'holding it all in' is actually very toxic. We need to encourage honest and open dialogue."

Want to better support men's health? Here are four tips for healthcare providers across the continuum of care.

John Oliffe, Ph.D., R.N., a professor who is also the founder and lead investigator of the University of British Columbia's Men's Health Research program, noted many men self-monitor and eventually access an emergency room for acute medical care (rather than a primary doctor). Emergency physicians therefore have the chance to bring up larger issues, as they may be the only entry point for men to seek medical care.

Oliffe believes the gap between men and women’s use of medical services is closing in some ways. More younger men seem to have a renewed interest in health, which may lead more to visit doctors.

When they do visit, educate them on issues they may overlook, Rovito suggested. For example, they may not know that lower back pain could be an indicator of testicular cancer or that chest pain and odd breathing patterns could be a sign of anxiety, stress or heart disease. Men may also overlook irregular bowel movements, which can indicate a variety of digestive issues. Bringing up topics other than what a patient comes in for can expand opportunities to improve men's health, but this is contingent upon how much time one has with a patient in the clinic or the community.

Healthcare systems can enhance men's health even if they don't see patients directly by teaming up with non-profits that have more face-to-face encounters with populations of men that aren't seeking traditional medical services.

For those that do see patients, encouraging them to adopt healthy behaviors is vital. Healthy behaviors can center on nutrition and exercise, as well as talking about internal issues that can include issues such as depression or body image. The healthiest behavior of all may be encouraging them to simply talk.

“You'd be surprised how well a great conversation can go and how much action it can spur," Rovito said.

Transitions around divorce and unemployment can impact overall health, and men may not talk about those changes. They don't want to feel vulnerable, and don't realize that doing so can improve their wellbeing, Oliffe said.

“Guys often suck it up and push it down," Oliffe said. Talking to friends, or just spending time with other men, can be helpful for men's health.

Opening up dialogue is especially vital when it comes to men's mental health issues. More than 6 million men report depression each year, but it often goes undiagnosed, Mental Health America (MHA) reports.

Here's why: Men tend to report irritability, anger, substance use, loss of interest in work/hobbies or fatigue, which are symptoms of depression not often in the spotlight. Symptoms such as anger or alcohol use typically are not included in depression screenings.

“It could be that we're missing some of those important depressive signs in men," Oliffe said.

Depression and anxiety often occur together, but men experience anxiety disorders independent of depression. More than 3 million men have panic disorder or a phobia.

Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, and eating disorders also affect men in substantial numbers. Sadly, men account for more than 75 percent of suicide victims in the United States, according to MHA.

Military men and veterans have twice the rate of drug and alcohol use compared to women, while gay and bisexual men are more likely to have higher substance use rates compared to heterosexual men.

Spouses, friends and family can also promote better men's health. They should know that men may be more likely to dismiss symptoms of diseases and conditions compared to women. Men typically seek medical care only if they are in pain. Also, men tend to self-monitor issues longer than women.

“One of the things we tell people is men may be asking for permission [to go to the doctor] when they share an issue with a spouse, partner or friend," Oliffe said.

While there is a greater focus on better health that is spreading to men, some of the biggest barriers to better care still center on opening up discussions.

Oliffe said that social connectedness is really important and can actually improve physical health and mental and emotional well-being.

“Men need to learn to do the work of wellness," Oliffe added. “A big part of that is having a sense of connection and reaching out or asking for help when needed."