ARE YOU A RISK-TAKER, OR AT RISK?
 Men are considered more likely to be risk-takers, and so are more inclined to ignore symptoms, as they do not like making a fuss, or being told what to do. They also tend to worry they it might have an adverse affect on their jobs if the are absent due to illness or doctors appointments, which are difficult to fit into the working day.
Statistics indicate the fact that men have good reason to make an effort to take more care of themselves. The chances of a man aged between 20 and 40 dying before he reaches 65 is one in five and the likelihood of becoming critically ill before the age of 65 is one in four.
Over 8,000 men over the age of 50 are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is also a fact that men are more at risk of heart attacks earlier in life than women, but generally choose to ignore the threat, thinking that the likelihood is years away. Their reluctance to take or follow medical advice is a major factor in the way protection policies are underwritten. Men’s unwillingness to seek medical advice may well be contributory to published statistics, which show that they make more claims on life assurance and critical illness policies, whereas women are more likely to claim for income protection. Women, it is thought, possibly take more care of themselves, as they tend to take the time off work in order to recover properly.
There is a definite difference in the health risk between men and women, particularly as they get older. Women tend to make more claims on private medical insurance policies under the age of 50, especially during childbearing years, but over the age of 50 claims from men take over, as the risk of coronary heart disease becomes higher.
Research into healthcare protection products shows men are more likely to buy these products than women, but statistics may be influenced by the fact that men still tend to make these decisions on behalf of their families, rather than themselves.
Healthcare providers are becoming more aware that the trend towards preventive health measures continues to grow, and men’s needs can be addressed, with some providers offering a range of health screens as an additional option to a policy. Early detection can significantly improve someone’s chance of recovering from a serious illness and health screens also offer lengthy consultation time with a doctor to discuss nagging health concerns or lifestyle changes that may affect well-being later in life.
Although it is not possible to ensure that people are proactive in keeping their health in check, it is essential to offer them the chance to insure against ill health, and to advise them of the risks they could face if they do not take care of themselves.
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