Innovative practice men's healthcare needs improvement : A recommendation for a midlife men's health assessment visit

Deficiencies in men's health services as well as the hesitancy of men to seek these services results in a distinct men's health disadvantage compared with women. Men die of almost all of the most frequent causes of death in the United States at a younger age than women. Common interpretations of "masculinity," and how men are supposed to behave negatively affect health-seeking behavior. Because of sociocultural issues and economic disadvantage, minority men are especially affected and have the poorest health status of any distinct population group. In addition because of clinicians' misunderstandings that men only want to resolve acute problems little office time is spent on health advice and disease prevention. Efforts to improve men's health-seeking behaviors and health services have attempted to specifically target men by emphasizing that wanting good health is compatible with masculinity and by offering services that meet men's unique needs. Society needs to encourage men to take care of their health in ways that will appeal to men. A campaign to encourage middle-aged men to come to the clinician for a Men's Health Assessment Visit (MHAV) might decrease risk behavior and empower men to take more control over their long-term health.