Men’s Health: Are You Getting the Care You Need?

By: Dr. Frank Acerra

Here’s a simple question: when was the last time you visited a health care provider, for any reason? For men, there’s a good chance it has been quite a while. In the U.S., nearly half of all men have not seen their provider for a routine checkup or wellness visit within the last year. But that doesn’t mean American men are exceptionally healthy—nearly three quarters avoided a doctor’s visit despite feeling sick, and even more chose not to consult their provider about an injury.* No matter what your personal health picture looks like, avoiding a doctor’s visit can have a negative impact on your overall well-being.

The Risks of Avoiding Medical Care

No matter how healthy you feel or how well you take care of yourself, avoiding medical care puts your health at risk. Wellness visits and routine screenings can improve the chances of identifying health issues in the early stages when they’re most treatable and can greatly reduce your risk of further complications. Your provider will be able to screen you for health conditions that are common in men, such as:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Colorectal cancer
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer

So, if you’re a man who hasn’t visited a provider in some time, it might be helpful to think of your health and body the same way you would approach maintaining an automobile. If you drive your car for too long without changing the oil or rotating the tires, it will begin underperforming and eventually stop running. The same thing can be said for your body—if you go too long without a checkup or screening, it may also cause problems that could lead to a potentially serious health issue.