Impacts of Gender Stereotypes on Health Choices and Medical Access for Both Men and Women
In the United Kingdom, masculinity plays a significant role in shaping men's health-seeking behaviours, particularly when it comes to the diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The cultural norms surrounding masculinity, such as stoicism, self-reliance, and reluctance to show vulnerability, contribute to men being less likely to seek medical advice or use primary healthcare services before hospitalisation, compared to women [1].
One of the key ways masculinity affects COPD health behaviours and diagnosis is by encouraging men to postpone treatment-seeking. This reluctance to seek primary care leads to lower engagement with general practitioners and, consequently, delays in diagnosis [1]. Men may also perceive healthcare settings as "feminine" and find restricted opening hours or long waits discouraging, reinforcing their avoidance of primary care [1].
The consequences of these attitudes can be severe. Because men may avoid early medical consultation, COPD may be diagnosed at a later, more advanced stage. This potentially worsens the prognosis and complicates the management of the disease [1]. It's important to note that while men are generally less likely to seek help, the pattern is complex and not absolute. Some women also avoid primary care for various reasons [1].
Addressing these gendered barriers is crucial for improving early detection and management of COPD in men. By challenging traditional masculine norms and encouraging men to prioritise their health, we can work towards reducing the impact of this life-threatening lung disease on men's lives.
COPD is a serious condition that obstructs airways and causes difficulty breathing. It is primarily caused by smoking, which is more prevalent among men, with 22% of men in the UK being smokers. COPD is associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, conditions that cause the build-up of mucus and inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and the destruction of air sacs in the lungs, respectively, reducing oxygen absorption.
COPD is a significant global health issue. In 2012, it was responsible for 6% of all global deaths, affecting nearly 3 million people in the UK alone [2]. Despite its prevalence, there is currently no medication to improve mortality rates in COPD patients.
The Integrative Model of Masculinity and the theoretical model of perceived gender roles offer insights into the complex relationship between masculinity and health behaviours. These models suggest that men who endorse hegemonic masculine ideologies are less likely to engage in health-positive behaviours, while men who show traits associated with women, such as compassion and emotions, are perceived as being weak within society [1].
Education also plays a role in shaping masculine qualities. For example, "Pollack's Boy's Code" encourages boys not to cry and deny pain, which may contribute to men's reluctance to seek medical help when needed [3].
In conclusion, understanding the role of masculinity in shaping health behaviours is crucial for improving the early detection and management of COPD in men. By challenging traditional norms and encouraging men to prioritise their health, we can work towards reducing the impact of this life-threatening disease on men's lives.
References:
[1] Höhn et al., J Epidemiol Community Health, 2020. [2] World Health Organization. (2019). Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Data and Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-respiratory-diseases [3] Pollack, V. A. (2000). Boys Will Be Boys: Breaking the Link Between Masculinity and Violence. Beacon Press.
- Beyond COPD, masculinity significantly influences various other medical-conditions and chronic-diseases, such as type-2-diabetes, chronic-kidney-disease, and cancer, making it critical to understand its impact on health-seeking behaviours.
- The resilience and self-reliance that constitute traditional masculinity can negatively affect digestive-health, as men may delay seeking help for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or colorectal cancer.
- Eye-health is also affected, with men often postponing eye exams, potentially leading to the late detection of conditions like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration.
- Hearing loss and tinnitus are often overlooked by men, due to the stigma associated with these conditions and the reluctance to admit to hearing difficulties, impacting men's overall health-and-wellness.
- Sexual-health is another area where masculinity can hinder open discussions and early intervention, leading to the late diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections or erectile dysfunction.
- Autoimmune-disorders such as rheumatoid-arthritis and psoriasis often have subtle symptoms, and men might avoid seeking help, further complicating diagnosis and treatment.
- Mental-health issues, including depression and anxiety, frequently go undiagnosed or untreated in men due to societal norms surrounding masculinity, placing a significant burden on mens-health in the UK.
- Cardiovascular-health is similarly impacted, with men often overlooking symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, due to masculine values of stoicism and self-reliance.
- In the realm of medical-education-and-self-development, it is essential to address gender biases and incorporate discussions on various health conditions, encouraging personal-growth in recognising the importance of one's health and wellbeing.
- Men's health initiatives should also address the role of hearing and eye-health, digestive-health, mental-health, and sexual-health in addition to traditionally male-focused areas like prostate health and testicular cancer.
- A holistic approach towards men's health, integrating discussions on various health conditions, challenging traditional masculine norms, and fostering open conversations, is essential for promoting overall health-and-wellness in men.
