Men tend to leave their health to chance – with shattering consequences.

For many, the findings of the Department of Health’s ‘gender and access to health services’ (2008) study will not be a surprise, as it has long been established that men are less proactive about seeking out health advice and support than women.

Where pharmacies are concerned, research shows that men visit a chemist’s only four times a year compared to 18 times for a woman - and they are less likely to access disease screening or to seek professional support for healthy living such as NHS stop smoking schemes.
From April to June 2012, 10,000 more women than men in England set a quit smoking date, while in Scotland, where the NHS stop smoking scheme is run exclusively through pharmacies, 59 per cent of quit attempts have been by females.

A recent survey by the National Pharmacy Association also found that:

• More men than women admit that their understanding of medicines is poor (23.1 per cent against 15.6 women);
• Men are twice as likely as women to take a new prescription medicine without first reading the patient information leaflet or seeking; professional advice (10.9 per cent of men against 5.1 per cent of women);
• A third of men (31 per cent) get their partner to collect their prescription medicines;
• Men tend to rely on their female partners to stock the household medicines cabinet;
• Sixty per cent of men would suffer with a side effect of medicines for more than a week before seeking advice;
• Nearly nine in ten men say they don’t like to trouble a doctor or pharmacist unless they have a “serious problem”. 
• Thirty seven per cent of men and women worry about taking time off work to seek professional advice when they are ill.

The research is worrying considering that by almost all measures of physical health, men have poorer outcomes than women.  The most obvious indicator for this is that men do not live as long.  The mortality rate for coronary heart disease (CHD) is much higher in men, and men are more likely to die from CHD prematurely.  Morbidity and mortality are consistently higher in men for virtually all cancers that are not gender-specific.

The proportion of men and women who are obese is roughly the same, but present trends suggest that weight-related illness will increase among men.  By 2015, 36 per cent of men are likely to be obese compared with 28 per cent of women.

Pharmacies are well placed to reach out to men, because they are generally accessible and informal – you can get expert advice without an appointment. Yet many people find it difficult to ask for help. 

Here are some questions you might never have thought to ask your pharmacy team.  Is it time you did?

• Can you tell me about reducing my risk of a heart attack or stroke?
• I have difficulties controlling my bladder. Can you help?
• I am worried about cancer. Should I go to my GP?
• I would like to talk with someone about my sexual health.
• Can I talk to someone in private, so we can’t be overheard?
• I am taking medicines for a long-term medical condition. Please can we talk about how they work and possible side effects?
• I am a smoker. Can you help me give up?
• Is there a local self-help group for people with my condition?

All pharmacies can give advice on many common health problems, minor ailments and medicines. Some may also offer flu vaccinations, allergy screening and testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections as well as other services. To find out more, simply ask your pharmacist or visit www.askyourpharmacist.co.uk.  Pharmacies are there to help you stay well, not just to treat you when you are sick.