How employers can encourage men’s preventive care

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Husband, father, brother, son — these are just a few titles your male employees may have outside of work. Someone in their life cares about them and needs them to be healthy. And you do too. However, men are less likely to seek preventive care and receive routine checkups, which can impact their long-term health.

Preventive care for employees isn't just a personal priority but a business one too. Learn about some of the men’s health screenings included in your employees’ preventive care benefits and how you can promote men’s preventive care at work.

The cost of not encouraging men to get preventive care

Chronic disease and mental health conditions cost the United States economy nearly 90 percent of the $5.3 trillion spent on annual health care costs. Not only do chronic diseases affect the health and financial well-being of your employees, but they also result in lower productivity and increased health care spending for employers.

Besides straining the health care system and reducing workplace productivity, the rise in chronic conditions highlights a deeper issue: many people delay seeking medical care much too long. This delay in receiving preventive health care can increase health risks and lead to more complex and costly conditions over time. According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Fourteen percent of adult men in the U.S are in fair or poor health.
• Fifty-one percent of adult men in the U.S. have high blood pressure.
• Thirty-nine percent of men age 20 and older are clinically obese.

Employers play an important role in preventive care access. Normalizing it as part of everyday health by promoting benefits and sharing resources encourages employees to take action.

With workplace health education and supported by the myWellmark^® employer toolkit, you can help male employees use their preventive care benefits and get the men’s health screenings they need to be healthy. Plus, it’ll reduce your health costs in the long run.

Examples of preventive care for male employees

Men's preventive health care can detect serious chronic diseases before they become difficult to manage and more costly to treat. With regular preventive care, your male employees can live a healthier life and be more productive at work. So, why do they seem to be avoiding the care they need?

Consider a few scenarios that highlight the barriers men often face when it comes to preventive care. Do these sound like any of your employees?

Justin, age 23

Justin feels healthy and doesn’t see the need to go to a provider if he’s not sick. He also wants to avoid spending money on health care.

• Preventive care recommendations: Men around Justin’s age should already be receiving regular cholesterol and blood pressure testing, even if they don’t notice any symptoms. In fact, there are a number of recommended health screenings to share with your employees age 18 to 39. Most employee health plans include preventive care benefits. Employees like Justin should check their benefits in myWellmark to see what men’s health screenings are covered by their plan.
• Why it matters: Half of men who suffer sudden deaths due to heart disease had no previous symptoms. Plus, the CDC finds that individuals with a heart condition may be at higher risk for mental health conditions, such as depression, compared to those without heart problems.

Clint, age 35

Clint knows he should be going to his provider regularly by now, but he’s worried about what the results of preventive screenings will show — and what the doctor will say about him not coming sooner. Clint is under the assumption that his employer decides who his primary care provider (PCP) is and is unsure if he can find a provider he trusts.

• Preventive care recommendations: Find a PCP and begin preventive screenings. There’s a reason why PCPs are considered to be part of a health care “team.” Clint’s PCP is on his side and wants the best for his overall health. Fortunately, Wellmark’s employer-sponsored health plan provides Clint with in-network providers to choose from. He can also search for in-network providers near him on myWellmark. For more guidance, Clint should check out our tips from Blue on how to select a primary care provider.
• Why it matters: Regular preventive screenings can catch serious conditions like diabetes at an early stage. Men are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes at a lower weight and younger age than women, and Clint will be better off getting tested now rather than putting it off any longer. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness and more.

Dave, age 50

Dave is a busy manager and father who can’t imagine adding a doctor’s appointment to his already packed schedule. Plus, he thinks some of the recommended screenings are awkward and finds them easier to put off.

• Preventive care recommendations: There are quite a few recommended health screenings for men age 40 to 64. For example, men at Dave’s age should get screened for cancers like colorectal (colon) cancer or prostate cancer.
• Why it matters: The American Cancer Society estimates that cancer cases in men will increase from 10.3 million to 19 million by 2050. Early detection of cancer is key for treatment and survival. It is important Dave makes time to prioritize his health now when illness may be easier and less costly to treat.

Preventive care is essential for all men. Encourage your employees to visit their PCP to find out which preventive screenings, vaccinations and routine exams are most appropriate for them.

Promote men’s preventive care at work with the myWellmark employer toolkit

Encouraging employees to prioritize regular check-ups and screenings — and openly promoting the benefits of preventive care — can make a meaningful difference. Help normalize preventive care and support employees with the myWellmark employer toolkit.

Questions? Contact your authorized Wellmark representative, or email us at blueatwork@Wellmark.com.