What social factors
affect Men's utilization of health care
Men
have traditionally used health care services at a lower rate than women. There have
been several studies to prove this fact, but most of them focus on why women
use health services. Studies from the past have suggested that women use more
health services due to their higher morbidity and self reported health status.
Others have suggested that there is a difference between the genders associated
with reproductive biology and medical issues that may be specific to one
gender.
Very few if any studies have addressed
the issue of what social factors are keeping men away from the health care
providers. A social factor is an influence of society on a person’s behavior.
So in this case what in the lives of men are keeping them away? The best way to answer this question immediately
was to go ask a few guys why they didn’t go to the doctor even when they felt like
they needed to.
David is a 45 year old man who is
married with two children; he is also employed and has health coverage. When asked
about his trips to the doctor David admitted he did not go as often as he
should. His explanation for this was that he was the provider for his family
and did not have the time and needed to allocate his money towards providing
for his family. The social factor that is keeping David away is gender. As the
provider for his family, society has influenced David to believe that he must
sacrifice his health for the sake of the overall good of the family.
Phil is a twenty five year old
college student. Phil said he does not go to the doctor as often as he should.
In fact he only goes if it is an emergency. When asked why Phil said that men
aren’t supposed to go to the doctor because they are supposed to be strong and
take care of themselves. Phil is not
going to the doctor because of his group belonging. Phil being a manly man
identifies with his groups customary belief that men are too strong for the
doc.
These are just two examples of
social factors that are affecting men’s utilization of health care services.
Although they are not scientific they do raise the possibility of asking a
question that we could research. Regardless there are health implications that
have been documented. Men use less preventive care. This leads to higher rates
of chronic illness and higher heath care costs for everyone.
Nathan, this blog is somewhat similiar to mine about men, women and depression. I also found research that agrees with your suggestions of higher chronic illness and cost. I would also like to mention that in my research it was noted that when men do not see their doctor, it causes in accurate measurements due to under reporting. Men may in fact have the same number of, lets say, colds per year. But if they do not see their medical provider it is not reported and is a flaw in the reporting, diagnosing, funding for cures and much more. As a society we have somehow lead men to believe that it is not manly to see the doctor, when in fact if he is the primary provider then all the more important that he is in his best health!
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