Most men need to pay more attention to their health. According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), men are more likely than women to put off regular checkups and medical care.

Data from HealthSelect of Texas^® support that observation. Claims filed in 2018 show that, of those enrolled in HealthSelect of Texas, Consumer Directed HealthSelect^SM and HealthSelect of Texas Out-of-State, slightly more than 51% of women had a preventive screening, while only slightly more than 36% of men had a preventive screening in Calendar Year 2018.

Here are some strategies that may help reverse that trend:

• Observe National Men’s Health Week, held each year leading up to Father’s Day. If you’re a man, use the week to remind yourself to get your annual check-up. If there’s an important man or men in your life—father, brothers or life partners—encourage them to get their annual checkup. Plan the visit around a birthday or another memorable date.
• Make the annual appointment an event. Plan on having a special breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on the time of the appointment.
• Find a likeable provider you trust. Ask for recommendations from friends and colleagues, and use the BCBSTX provider finder tool if you are a HealthSelect of Texas or Consumer Directed HealthSelect participant.
• Follow basic healthy habits. In addition to getting an annual physical, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrecommends that you exercise regularly, choose not to smoke and try to reduce the stress in your life.

Find more tips at the National Men’s Health Week website and in this blog post from health.gov.

Source: ERS News About Your Benefits (June 2019)