The Importance of Men's Health Screenings

June marks Men’s Health Awareness Month, providing a timely reminder to encourage preventive care and early detection among your male employees. 

Despite the importance of regular checkups, men are often less engaged with the healthcare system, making them more likely to miss routine screenings that could catch serious conditions early, when treatment is most effective.

In fact, one study found men are 32% less likely to visit a primary care physician compared to women, while another study found 72% of men would rather do household chores than see a doctor. 

Some key statistics around men's health include:

• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men
• Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the U.S
• 18% of American men have diabetes
• Over 50% have high blood pressure
• Only 28% meet federal guidelines for physical activity

HR leaders should actively promote men’s health preventive care benefits. By making these resources visible and accessible, you can help close the gap in men’s health engagement and drive better outcomes across your workforce.

Skipping preventive screenings impacts health and increases costs

This tendency to postpone routine checkups can have serious consequences for both health outcomes and healthcare costs.

Without regular visits, providers miss critical opportunities to engage with patients about their overall health and identify potential concerns early. Routine screenings are key for detecting chronic conditions before they progress. 

A single blood test, for instance, can identify multiple chronic conditions, including Type 2 diabetes. When caught early, Type 2 diabetes is often reversible through lifestyle changes. However, it becomes a costly condition when left unmanaged. Employees with Type 2 diabetes face medical expenses that are 2.6 times higher than those without the condition.

Make a plan to engage men in your benefit solutions

Many employees simply don’t know what’s available to them, so it’s essential to meet them where they are, using the internal channels that resonate most. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative. Leverage technology to boost visibility, but also consider the realities of your workforce. 

For employees in the field or on job sites, a digital campaign alone may not cut it. In these cases, sending a provider or a trusted employee ambassador onsite can help build trust and spark action.

If your benefits include advanced primary care, promote that employees can get an annual physical and biometric screening at little to no cost. 

Even better: Offer an incentive. A small HSA contribution, gift card or even a free PTO day can be the nudge someone needs to schedule that first visit. Promote a campaign during June to coincide with Men’s Health Awareness Month.

Use available data to stratify and target male workers

If you want to improve men’s health outcomes, start with the data you already have. Claims data, wellness program participation and biometric screening results can uncover important patterns and trends in men’s health across your workforce. 

These insights help you target communication efforts more effectively and focus on the areas where support is needed most.

For example, if the data shows a high number of male employees with high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, that’s your cue to promote relevant services. You can tailor campaigns around heart health programs, diabetes management or other resources already available in your benefits package.

If you offer advanced primary care, those providers can follow up directly with employees when a screening flags a concerning health metric. This kind of proactive, personalized outreach makes it easier for employees to seek care before small issues become major health concerns.

Empower men to take action

Prioritizing regular health screenings empowers men to take control of their well-being, catch issues early and lead healthier lives. By staying proactive and embracing advanced primary care benefits, men can access comprehensive, preventive care to fuel their long-term health and vitality.