Men's Health

Men's health is a relatively ignored section in healthcare in community. Most men do not look after their health or pay heed to it as they should. Healthcare services that directly cater to the health needs of men are lacking in general.

Whereas there are several healthcare services dedicated to the overall health and wellbeing of women, similar services for men are lacking. It is important, therefore, that such services for men become readily available and accessible.

This is true for both developing and developed countries. Here, in Australia, there are very few medical services, especially readily available online services, that directly cater to the health needs for men. Whereas there are several large companies that provide after hours care and medical deputising services to Australians, none of them focus exclusively on men's health.

It is therefore encouraging to see a new start up like Men's Health that is promoting exclusive online healthcare for need of male patients in Australia. Whereas, still in early stages, it remains to be seen as to whether it can fill the immense gap in healthcare needs for Australian men.

The need of the hour is for government to set up readily accessible healthcare services for Australian men. There appears to be a distinct shortage of government funded services in this sector. Whereas private sector companies have taken a lead in certain areas, especially telehealth, public services in this sector are certainly lacking.

In contrast, however, there are several services that cater to women's health, including in public and private sector. Whereas this is an excellent initiative, the overall lack of impetus towards men's health is not suprising, not just in Australia but also in the majority of countries. Women, children and elderly being the vulnerable section of communities generally get more resources dedicated to them across health services of most countries. Men, it would appear, are largely left to fend for themselves when it comes to their healthcare needs.

This is ironic as men often are the group in society that generally show the least care for their own health. Men would generally pretend to be 'brave' and 'tough' and not appear to be unwell even when they are. Similarly, they would try to underestimate their health needs and concerns and not seek medical care when they need to. Being the head of the family and the primary provider in many communities across the globe, men would try and persevere and continue to try and function even when unwell and not take time off work to rest or recover or to seek medical attention for themselves.

It is unfortunate that even with the significantly greater number of resources available at their disposable the richer or developed countries across the world have not invested in the healthcare needs for men in significantly greater proportion compared to the developing nations with smaller economies and more limited resources. Whereas, the overall investment in healthcare is generally significantly greater in the West, most of the funds are directed to public hospitals, clinics, ambulance services and overall public health infrastructure. Emphasis is rightly placed on pediatric emergency services and health care services, clinics and facilities for women and aged care facilities and health care for women. However, very little as a proportion makes it to the health needs for men.

It may be prudent, therefore, for policy makers in healthcare not just in Australia, but in other global communities as well, to reconsider their approach to the healthcare needs of the male patients in their community and direct further resources to their care in the form of dedicated facilities and clinics, be it physical or in the virtual domain of telehealth.