Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide, particularly affecting men. Although it’s highly preventable with early diagnosis and treatment, many men continue to miss the opportunity to manage their risk factors due to social pressures and traditional gender norms. A new study by the University of Chicago sheds light on how societal expectations of masculinity can discourage men from seeking medical care, increasing their vulnerability to serious health issues.
The Link Between Masculinity and Health
The study found that men who closely identify with stereotypical masculine norms tend to avoid medical diagnoses and treatments for conditions that raise cardiovascular disease risk. Here’s how these social influences impact men’s health:
- Reluctance to Seek Help: Men adhering to traditional masculine norms often see visiting a doctor as a sign of weakness, leading to delays in diagnosis.
- Social Pressures to Be “Strong”: These social pressures discourage men from acknowledging their vulnerabilities, including health-related issues.
- Long-Term Health Risks: Avoiding early detection and treatment can lead to more severe health outcomes later, including heart attacks, strokes, and chronic heart conditions.
The Study: Measuring Gender Expression and Health Behaviors
To understand these trends, researchers analyzed data from Add Health, a longitudinal study that tracked over 12,300 participants’ health behaviors across 24 years (1994-2018). The University of Chicago team looked at how strongly men expressed traditionally “masculine” behaviors and compared this with their health-seeking actions.
- Methodology: The study identified survey questions that showed strong differences in responses between men and women. It then compared these responses to men’s self-reported cardiovascular disease risk factors and their diagnosis rates.
- Focus on Social Influence: Unlike biological factors, this study concentrated on self-reported behaviors, preferences, and beliefs about masculinity.
- Findings: Men with higher expressions of stereotypical masculinity were significantly less likely to report being diagnosed or treated for risk factors like hypertension and high cholesterol.
Understanding How Gender Norms Affect Cardiovascular Health
The study’s findings emphasize how cultural definitions of masculinity can interfere with men’s willingness to seek health care. Here are some key observations:
- Less Diagnosis and Treatment Reporting
- Many men with detectable risk factors, like high blood pressure, either avoided screenings or didn’t report diagnoses.
- Even when diagnosed, these men were often not taking medication, highlighting a gap in ongoing treatment.
- Role of Primary Care Screenings
- Basic screenings in primary care settings typically detect these risk factors. However, men who prioritize masculinity may skip these appointments, missing crucial early warnings.
- This pattern suggests either an avoidance of health screenings altogether or downplaying health risks during screenings.
- Hypothesis on Social Pressures
- Researchers believe social pressures to conform to masculine norms create behavioral patterns that limit cardiovascular disease prevention efforts, which can lead to worse health outcomes.
Implications for Future Healthcare
The study suggests that masculine ideals and health behavior may affect more than just cardiovascular health, with implications for broader health conditions:
- Beyond Masculinity: Pressures related to gender, race, and social identity play a significant role in health-seeking behaviors.
- Changing Health Messaging: Adapting health messages to resonate with men’s identities and creating inclusive environments could help break down barriers to seeking care.
- Supportive Societal Change: Building more empathy and support around the complexity of identity could positively impact men’s willingness to prioritize their health.
Concluding Thoughts
This research underscores the need to reshape our approach to health care by addressing the social norms that influence men’s health behaviors. By understanding these dynamics, healthcare providers can better support men in overcoming barriers to early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, potentially preventing more severe health outcomes.
References
- “Male Gender Expressivity and Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease Risks in Men” by Nathaniel J. Glasser et al., JAMA Network Open, October 25, 2024. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.41281.