Utilization Paper

An ongoing discussion for many years now has been on men’s health. There have been discussions regarding the lack of men making and keeping appointments with their physicians as well as acquiring a physician before receiving a diagnosis leaving life changing results and the need of seeking health care. We know that men usually refuse to simply visit a doctor unless he is already badly feverish and unstable or lying on his sick bed. Responses such as the situation of that it will take care of itself, or the hours worked will not allow him to see the doctor right now, and he will go when it is necessary always has been a valid excuse in their opinion. After the time that the appointment is made, he is already worse than he would have been if he went before the symptoms occurred or at the early onset of any indications of sickness. Researches show that the life expectancy of men as compared to women is five years if comparing to life at birth, and three years difference if the comparison is when both genders are 65 years old. Women are known to seek health care and remain consistent as long as she lives. “In United States, men are more likely to be regular and heavy alcohol drinkers, heavier smokers who are less likely to quit, non-medical illicit drug users, and are more overweight compared to women. Men are less likely to utilize health care visits to doctor's offices, emergency departments (ED), and physician home visits than women. They are also less likely to make preventive care, hospice care, dental care visits, and have fewer hospital discharges and shorter hospital stays than women” (Pinkhasov, Wong, Kashanian, Lee, Samadi, Pinkhasov, and Shabsigh (2010). Therefore, these areas that deal with long-term care and preventive health care are elements that can be enabling or mutable factors. Drug use can, smoking habits can, and drinking