No Doctors
By Tresa Erickson

Too busy. No time. Not a big deal. These are just some of the reasons men in general avoid going to the doctor. Unless the pain is excruciating, most men stay away from the doctor's office. Experts refer to the mindset as health apathy, but what exactly is it that causes men to avoid going to the doctor?

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Too many men feel this way about their health. They regard themselves as the family superman and refuse to go to the doctor until the pain becomes so bad that they can't stand it. As a result, once they finally go in, many learn that their disease is farther advanced than they had hoped.

One of the reasons men have health apathy is that, unlike women, they generally aren't the caretakers of the family. No one relies on them to be well, so it isn't as important for them to be in tip-top condition. They get fewer screenings and checkups than women who are caring for someone else, and often, their health takes a hit.

Men in general also seem to view going to the doctor as a weakness. Rather than looking at it as a way to stay in good health and on top of their game, they see it as a chink in their armor. By going to the doctor, they are in essence admitting to themselves that they are human and subject to physical deterioration.

Another reason that men tend to avoid doctors is the lack of encouragement from the media. While women are frequently encouraged through magazine and newspaper ads and TV broadcasts and commercials to get regular screenings when they reach their childbearing years, men are not. There is not as much media coverage of issues in men's health as there are of issues in women's health. What coverage there is is often directed to reproductive health rather than the whole person.

Of course, not every man demonstrates health apathy. Some men do get checkups regularly and participate in screenings. The majority, however, don't. They take better care of their vehicles than they do of their bodies. Health apathy, however, is starting to gain momentum. The medical community and other organizations are focusing on men's health and encouraging all men to get screenings and regular checkups. There is even a bill in Congress to establish an Office of Men's Health.

The key to breaking down health apathy is education and promotion of men's health. As more and more organizations and programs get involved, hopefully more men will become aware of the problem and make changes for a healthier lifestyle. They will compile their family histories, schedule screenings and checkups, and get immunized. They will eat right and exercise regularly. More importantly, they will seek treatment for symptoms early before a condition becomes advanced.