Here’s Why Men’s Health Deserves More Attention

Are men doing enough to take care of their health?

Spoiler alert: the data says no.

Most of the time, men wait until a health issue becomes unavoidable before finding care. Whether it’s cultural stigma, lack of time, lack of benefits, or focus on loved ones’ health, the results are dangerous and preventable. Here’s what every man should know.

The State of Men’s Health in the U.S.

Men are more likely than women to skip preventive care, and the consequences are both serious and preventable. Consider the following:

• Only about 60% of men receive annual physical exams, leaving a significant portion without routine health assessments¹.
  
• The age-adjusted cancer death rate is approximately 171.5 per 100,000 men, compared to 126.3 per 100,000 women — a 36% higher mortality rate for men².
  
• Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men, with an estimated 313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths expected in 2025³.
  
• Approximately 73.6% of U.S. adults aged 20 and over are overweight or obese, increasing the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers⁴.

Why Do Men Skip the Doctor?

Let’s face it: Most of us know a guy who avoids going to the doctor. Cultural expectations around toughness, fear of receiving bad news, and plain old procrastination all play a role. In fact, a Cleveland Clinic survey found that 65% of men avoid the doctor for as long as possible, and 37% admit to withholding health information due to embarrassment⁵.

But behind these behaviors lies a deeper issue: The healthcare system feels too complex, too unfamiliar, and too easy to put off.

The Real Barriers

• Lack of health literacy: Many men don’t fully understand their coverage, the potential consequences of ignoring symptoms, or how to interpret basic lab results. Without trusted, easy-to-access guidance, they’re less likely to take proactive steps, especially when nothing feels urgently wrong.
  
• Difficulty navigating benefits: From provider directories to surprise billing, men often experience choice overload and logistical confusion. The result? Preventive care gets postponed until something becomes too serious to ignore.
  
• Underuse of low-barrier care: Resources like telehealth, nurse hotlines, and digital tools are widely available, but often underutilized by men who aren’t already engaged in their wellness. When these options aren’t clearly communicated or seamlessly integrated into daily life, they’re likely to be overlooked.
  
• Fear and discomfort: Some men may avoid care because they don’t want to be told to change their habits, or because they feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive health topics. This emotional resistance is compounded by the unfamiliarity of the healthcare environment itself.
  

Behavioral Gaps in Benefits Use

Healthee’s own 2025 Benefits Divide report underscores these trends. It found that:

• Males were 19% more likely to choose PPO plans over females, suggesting a preference for familiar, flexible options — even at higher premiums⁶.
  
• Females were 62% more likely to choose high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and 76% more likely to opt into reference-based pricing (RBP) plans, indicating men may shy away from less traditional, cost-effective coverage options due to complexity or perceived risk.
  

These choices speak volumes: men may be paying more for plans they understand rather than optimizing for value, a clear sign that better benefits education and decision support are needed.

Three Simple Habits That Make a Difference

So, how can men take control of their health right now?

1. Schedule an Annual Physical

Getting a yearly checkup is one of the most important things men can do for their long-term health. Regular physicals help identify risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances, pre-diabetes, or early signs of cancer—often before symptoms appear.

Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider creates a continuity of care that improves outcomes over time. Plus, many insurance plans (including PPOs and HDHPs) cover annual wellness exams at no cost, making this an accessible and cost-effective step.

2. Move Your Body Every Day

Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be impactful. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, while also improving mood and cognitive function.

Physical activity also helps regulate hormones like cortisol and serotonin, both of which affect stress levels and emotional resilience. For men in sedentary jobs or remote work environments, building in short, consistent movement throughout the day — like walking calls, standing stretches, or stair climbs — can have compounding health benefits without requiring a gym membership.

3. Prioritize Sleep and Diet

Sleep and nutrition are the cornerstones of disease prevention. Consistently getting 7–8 hours of sleep per night is associated with improved immune function, hormone regulation, and cardiovascular health. Poor sleep, on the other hand, is linked to higher rates of obesity, depression, and chronic illness.

Nutrition matters just as much: eating whole, minimally processed foods — like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats — can reduce inflammation, support gut health, and help prevent metabolic diseases. Men should also watch for excess alcohol, sodium, and red meat consumption, all of which have been connected to higher risk for hypertension, cancer, and liver disease⁷.

How Can You Support Your Employees Health Journey?

If you’re an HR or benefits leader, Men’s Health Month is an opportunity to spotlight preventative care, telehealth options, and mental health resources available through your employee benefits program.

At Healthee, we believe in helping everyone, not just the planners or the wellness devotees. That means easy access to care, fast answers to cost questions, and clear reminders to take action before a crisis hits.

Because when men get proactive about their health, everyone benefits.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic. “Why Don’t Men Go to the Doctor?” Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/male-physical-exam

2. National Cancer Institute. “Cancer Statistics.” National Cancer Institute, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics

3. American Cancer Society. “Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer.” American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Overweight & Obesity Statistics.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

5. Cleveland Clinic. “Survey: Men Will Do Almost Anything to Avoid Going to the Doctor.” Cleveland Clinic Newsroom, https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/09/04/cleveland-clinic-survey-men-will-do-almost-anything-to-avoid-going-to-the-doctor

6. Healthee. “The 2025 Benefits Divide Report.” Healthee, https://healthee.com/reports/the-2025-benefits-divide

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Heart Disease Facts.” CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/index.html