June is Men’s Health Month, and Brown & Brown Absence Services Group is proud to use this opportunity to help raise awareness and begin important conversations about men’s health issues. We work closely with disabled individuals and disability insurers alike, so we know firsthand just how common serious illnesses and injuries truly are, and we value this opportunity to educate all of our customers and clients about health conditions that may impact them.
Many Americans are not properly educated about disability statistics or insurance, and therefore find themselves physically, emotionally, and financially unprepared when illness or injury renders them unable to work. Statistically, men are more likely to experience seasons of time during which they are the sole or primary wage earners in their homes – and the harsh reality is that most people underestimate their likelihood of becoming disabled due to their current health or non-physical job. However, the Council for Disability Awareness reports that just over one in four of today’s 20 year-olds will become disabled before they reach retirement age.
Along with not being properly educated about their chances of becoming disabled, many men prioritize their family’s well-being over their own, leaving them less likely to take the simple, yet significant preventative health care measures necessary for early detection of health problems. In fact, the Men’s Health Network states that women are 24% more likely to visit the doctor for regular health screenings than men, causing many men to battle illnesses that could have easily been prevented, and ultimately contributing to the trend of men dying younger than women.
Just one example of this is seen in depression statistics. While women do not necessarily have much higher instances of depression than men, depression in women is twice as likely to be diagnosed. There are several reasons for this, as women tend to be observed closely for depression symptoms, particularly surrounding times of significant hormonal change such as pregnancy and menopause. However, men often feel social pressure to keep their feelings silent, or to be “tough,” which causes many cases of depression in men to be left undiagnosed and untreated. Unfortunately, this contributes to the fact that men are nearly four times more likely to commit suicide than women.
There is a lot to learn about men’s health, and Men’s Health Month is the perfect time for men to take steps toward a healthier and more secure future for themselves and their families. Click here for the Men’s Health Network’s “Time Out for Men’s Health,” which provides a self-assessment quiz designed to help men evaluate how well they are caring for themselves and their long-term health. Another way men can be proactive is to seek professional representation and apply for Social Security Disability Insurance if an illness or injury leaves them unable to work for at least one year. This can protect retirement savings and lead to early Medicare eligibility – all of which helps ensure a more secure future for one’s family.
Men’s Health Month may be designed for men, but there are plenty of resources available to help women take action to promote healthy habits. Women can encourage the men in their lives to stay healthy by instituting a diet/exercise routine that can be done as partners, and they can also push their husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons to get regular health screenings.
To learn more about Men’s Health Month and men’s health issues, check out these great resources:
https://www.menshealthresourcecenter.com/
https://www.womenshealth.gov/blog/category/mens-health
https://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/pdfs/GetItChecked.pdf
https://www.verywellmind.com/difference-between-male-and-female-depression-symptoms-3892841
Nothing in this post is intended as advice or a suggestion to elect or not elect to claim benefits of any kind, including Social Security benefits, nor is it intended as financial advice in any way. The decision to claim benefits is a personal one that is contingent upon each individual’s unique circumstances.
