The United States is older today than ever before. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that one in five Americans will be over the age of 65 by 2034. It’s important for everyone to be proactive about their health, while also recognizing the discrepancies among health outcomes across population groups. Men are a prime example of this.

In the U.S., men’s life expectancy is about six years shorter than women’s and men are more at risk for certain age-related health conditions. As a board-certified internist and practicing clinician at Oak Street Health, I provide Medicare-aged patients with the comprehensive and preventive care they need to facilitate better health outcomes as they age. Through my years working with older adult patients, I understand there are unique challenges men face during the aging process.

Preventive care is a critical component of healthy aging. Equally, understanding your Medicare plan is just as important to maintain your health and quality of life.

• With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period underway, now is the perfect time to check that your plan is providing you with the benefits you need for healthy aging.
• Additionally, it is important for men to understand the barriers to accessing care and how to reduce them, so that all men are empowered to prioritize their health through every stage of life.

Discrepancies in Seeking Care

All adults should schedule regular doctor’s visits and take preventive care measures. But with men, we are seeing a disconnect.

Although men are more likely to develop chronic illnesses compared to women, they are less likely to see a medical professional or admit they need care. In fact, more than half of men do not get regular health screenings. Delaying preventive care is dangerous for all men, but especially older men who are more vulnerable to developing health problems and are less likely than older women to regularly seek care. These discrepancies are tied to certain factors that often deter men from seeking care:

• Social Stigmas: Due to societal norms and traditional gender roles, men may not feel comfortable admitting when something is wrong or expressing emotions. They might even downplay symptoms. This is especially true when it comes to certain aspects of men’s well-being – particularly sexual health. A 2022 Hearst Media survey found that 34% of sexually active men felt “too embarrassed” to discuss their sexual health, even with their physician. As certain sexual health conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, are symptoms for underlying issues that can have negative impacts on overall health – including cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea and diabetes – it’s vital that men feel comfortable to seek out care when they need it.
• Fear: In a 2019 Cleveland Clinic survey, 37 percent of men reported withholding information from their doctor as they did not feel ready to deal with a diagnosis that could possibly come from telling the truth.

Because men must take these certain factors into account, it’s important they feel encouraged to prioritize their health early on in life so they will continue to do so as they age.

Mental Health in Older Men

Mental health is a particular issue for older men. According to a recent CVS Health/Morning Consult survey, roughly one-third of American adults aged 65 and older have concerns about their personal mental health, and up to 25 percent currently live with a mental health condition.

Action must be taken to address mental health within older communities, especially for men. To do so, we must recognize the associated risk factors older men face when it comes to mental health.

Suicide in older adults is more common in men. In 2021, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that suicide rates among men were highest for those over the age of 75, while for women in the same age category, they were significantly lower.

One-fourth of adults over age 65 are reported to be socially isolated. However, data from the National Library of Medicine show older men tend to be at higher risk for social isolation compared to women, increasing their chances of developing mental health conditions associated with loneliness and putting them at higher risk for suicide.

Substance use also plays a significant role in mental health outcomes. Research shows that out of adults who have a substance use disorder, almost half of them also have a mental health condition. As men are more likely to partake in excessive drinking and have higher rates of substance dependency compared to women, it’s critical that they take proper steps to minimize this risk as they age, such as moderating their use of alcohol and other substances.

Creating Better Health Outcomes for Men as They Age

Despite the prevalence of these issues, there are ways for older men, their families and caregivers to address common health conditions, barriers and risk factors that negatively impact men’s health as they age.

Due to stigmas and fear, men are less likely to take preventive care measures. By providing educational resources and having open conversations with family, friends and loved ones about prioritizing physical and mental health at all stages of life, men will feel more empowered to take charge of their health as they age.

To guard against serious health conditions, men may consider adapting certain lifestyle choices to meet their changing needs as they age. Prioritizing nutrition and exercise in their daily lives may help. Social interaction can also positively impact older men’s total well-being. A 2021 National Library of Medicine study found that social media was associated with lower levels of loneliness among older adults, showcasing that creating a sense of belonging can happen both in person and online.

There are ways we can all address these challenges that are impacting men’s capacity for healthy aging. The first step begins with you – if you or the older men in your life are not taking steps to properly manage their health, use this annual enrollment season to begin prioritizing their health and well-being as they age.