MEASURE OF A MAN
BY STEVE BARRETT
COMPLE X HEREDITARY AND SOCIOCULTUR AL FACTORS E XERT STRONG — THOUGH NOT NECESSARILY
DECISIVE — INFLUENCES ON MEN'S HE ALTH. THAT CRE ATES CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
MEDICAL PROVIDERS WHO ADDRESS MEN'S HE ALTHCARE NEEDS.
Sources: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, WHO, AHA
While men and women alike are living longer worldwide, women
live signifi cantly longer on average, according to the World Health
Organization. Individual choices and cultural expectations both
play a role in that disparity. Among the social determinants of
men's health, according to a WHO assessment, are "greater
levels of occupational exposure to physical and chemical hazards,
behaviours associated with male norms of risk-taking and
adventure, health behaviour paradigms related to masculinity
and the fact that men are less likely to visit a doctor when they
are ill and, when they see a doctor, are less likely to report on
the symptoms of disease or illness."
ONGOING CHALLENGES
AMONG MEN 18 YEARS OR OLDER:
About 32% had at least fi ve
drinks in a single day one or
more times in the past year.
About 18% smoke cigarettes.
About 12% consider themselves
to be in poor or fair health.
SHUNNING CARE
Accidents
6.4%
Cancer
23.4%
Heart disease
24.5%
LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH AMONG MEN
A STRUGGLE WITH WEIGHT
ABOUT 73% OF
U.S. MEN AGE
20 OR OLDER ARE
OVERWEIGHT
OR OBESE.
73% OVERWEIGHT
OR OBESE
26% NORMAL
WEIGHT
1% BELOW
NORMAL
WEIGHT
The top fi ve reasons men avoid seeing
a physician regularly:
1. They do not have a physician.
2. They have no insurance.
3. They believe their health is
probably good.
4. They lack the time.
5. They worry about the expense.
73%
26%
1%
M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C L E V E L A N D /A K R O N / C A N T O N
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