The importance of preventive medicine for men
June is recognized as Men’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness and encourage men to get active in managing their healthcare. In this WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital physician Q&A, Richard Conn, MD, family medicine provider at WVU Medicine Connellsville Primary Care, discusses what men can do to invest in their health.
1. Why is preventive medicine so important?
Preventive medicine is necessary to identify little problems or potential problems before they become bigger issues.
Let’s use vehicle maintenance as an example. You can’t skip routine tasks, such as changing the oil, replacing worn brake pads, or getting new tires, and then expect the car to keep working the way it should and last as long as it can.
In the same way, identifying common problems, like high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and high cholesterol, and then fixing those problems before they can damage your body will help your body to continue to function the way it should.
Additionally, screening tests for certain kinds of cancers are vital for early detection, before they become life-threatening, more treatment options are available, and treatments are less severe than when the disease has progressed.
2. What percentage of men actively seek preventive screenings and appointments?
Overall, men are less likely than women to seek regular check-ups and are more likely to develop chronic illnesses. In a 2022 Cleveland Clinic study, 55 percent of men reported not obtaining regular health screenings, and a 2024 report from the University of Utah found that over 40 percent of men only go to the doctor when they have a serious medical condition.
3. What are some of the reasons male patients do not seek preventive care?
While there could be concerns about cost of care, particularly for uninsured or fixed-income patients, there are also prevailing cultural issues that can be barriers to men receiving preventive care.
These can include seeing themselves as providers and protectors for the people around them, resulting in not taking the time to care for themselves, not wanting to ask for help because it may make them look weak, or believing that they should be able to handle their problems on their own.
Some have an “if I don’t look for a problem, then I can pretend that there isn’t a problem” attitude, so they avoid preventive screenings and remain in the dark regarding their health, sometimes, until it’s too late. This is the medical equivalent of turning the radio volume up, so you don’t hear the sound your worn-out brake pads are making.
Many men have seen these behaviors modeled by their fathers, uncles, or grandfathers and often believe that this is just the way men are supposed to behave.
4. Have you had any personal experiences that highlight the importance of wellness visits or preventive screenings?
I’ve lost count over the years of how many times someone has come to me for a routine visit that led to an issue being identified that would have otherwise been missed.
One gentleman comes to mind who just happened to mention that he experienced chest pain from time to time. Considering his age, family history, and other medical problems, I felt it was important to investigate.
After additional testing, he was found to have several serious blockages in the arteries that fed his heart muscle, and he eventually underwent successful bypass surgery. What could have been a tragic, massive heart attack, possibly leading to permanent disability or death, was avoided. He is doing well and says he now has more energy and can do more of the things he enjoys.
5. Are there any new or growing concerns with men’s health that you want readers to know?
The number one cause of death in men continues to be heart disease, a chronic illness that can be accelerated greatly by years of untreated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and several other chronic illnesses. Treating these underlying causes before they become a problem will help to delay or prevent eventual heart disease symptoms. The primary discovery point of these conditions is preventive screenings coordinated with a primary care provider.
6. What would you say to men in general about the importance of actively managing their health?
With all the regular activities that make up your week, it’s easy for good health to become a low priority. However, the time to prevent future problems is now. If you want to enjoy good health as you age, prevention can go a long way.
Seek out a primary care provider who can help guide you through appropriate preventive screenings, investigate any symptoms you may be having, and recommend treatments that have been shown to help people live longer, healthier lives.
If you do not have a primary care provider, WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital Primary Care providers are available to help you manage your health. Offices are conveniently located in Uniontown, Connellsville, Scottdale, and Carmichaels, and new patient appointments are available in as few as seven days.
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