A focus on health solutions for men in the workplace

Movember is a fun, play on words for a month-long campaign in November that raises awareness of men’s health. It aims to “change the face of men’s health” by discussing important issues related to men’s health–both mental and physical.

Quick facts about men’s health:

• Major risks to men’s health include heart disease, male specific cancers and depression.
• Men are less likely than women to visit the doctor.
• Regular checkups and health screenings can result in better health outcomes for most men.
• A healthy lifestyle, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, is important for men’s health.

What do we mean when we talk about men’s health?

When we talk about men’s health, we refer to a range of conditions such as heart disease, male cancer, such as prostate and testicular cancer, and even depression. These all can have serious implications to a man’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Why we need to talk about men’s health in the workplace

Men’s health is a critical component of workplace wellbeing, and employers have a unique opportunity to support their male employees in achieving better health outcomes.

Today, a trend is on the rise with companies recognizing the difference between men and women’s health needs. Some companies provide their employees with comprehensive individualized benefits packages specific to physiological differences, for example.

One obstacle for positive healthy outcomes for male employees is that men go to the doctor less than women. A survey conducted by The Cleveland Clinic found that 40% of men go to the doctor only when they have a serious health issue, and males rarely go for routine checkups.

In addition, men can tend to fear a diagnosis. About 21% of men admit to avoiding the doctor because they don’t want to know if something is wrong.

Unfortunately, many men overlook the importance of their mental health, struggling in silence rather than seeking help. Untreated mental health conditions can worsen over time, leading to more severe issues.

Related: LinkedIn sued for tracking user health data

Medications: Men vs. Women

Research shows that the physiological, biological and behavioral differences between men and women can influence the efficacy of certain medications.

Men and women have different hormonal profiles which impact how medications are absorbed and metabolized. Women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and lower muscle mass which affects the distribution of fat-soluble and water-soluble medications.

Also, women and men metabolize medications differently, which leads to how long a medication stays in the body and/or how quickly it starts working.

Lastly, men are less likely to take medication and communicate openly with their providers.

These differences in men and women can affect their responses to medications. As a result, health care providers might prescribe medications and other health treatments to men and women differently.

Solutions

Taking steps to promote the importance of men’s health in your workplace can help remove the stigmas that can keep men from getting the care they need, including:

• Workplace initiatives. Employers can play a key role in helping their male employees manage their health through workplace initiatives.
• Mental health awareness. By normalizing discussions about mental health struggles employers can encourage male employees to seek care.
• Personalized medication management. A personalized medication management offers a solution where men can speak confidentially over the phone to a pharmacist to better understand if their medications are working as intended.
• Some benefit plans offer pharmacogenomics, a cutting-edge tool allowing health care providers to tailor treatments to the genetic profiles of male employees, enhancing the effectiveness of medications like antidepressants and blood pressure treatments.

By prioritizing men’s health, both physical and mental, employers can play a critical role in advancing a healthier, more engaged workforce—ultimately contributing better health outcomes for your male employers that results in a more resilient and successful business.

Dr. Jessica Lea, Pharm D, is founder and CEO of Tria Health, a comprehensive health benefit offered through self-insured employers for individuals with chronic conditions. As a PharmD, Dr. Lea is passionate about pharmacists providing patient-centered care to improve the health outcomes of patients. This was her catalyst for starting Tria Health.