While 4 in 5 men agree medical exams contribute to longer life, 1 in 4 are unlikely to proactively visit their doctor. That's one of the key findings of  "Zocdoc's 2023 Men's Health Report," released June 1 in conjunction with the launch of men's health month. Many of the findings could help inform active-aging providers, especially those in independent and assisted living.

Based on a US nationwide survey of more than 1,000 men and Zocdoc's proprietary booking data, the survey findings underscore men's historical healthcare aversions: 1 in 4 say they would rather change a flat tire than visit the doctor, while 1 in 3 would rather clean the entire house. And another 1 in 4 men say they are unlikely to proactively visit the doctor altogether.

Yet, according to the same survey, health ranks as men's number 2 priority in life, second only to family.

What's getting in the way? The data suggest much of it comes down to booking barriers. In fact, a third of men consider the process of booking an appointment more tedious than actually attending the appointment, while another third say booking and attending are equally tedious. Difficulty in finding in-network doctors was identified as another significant obstacle by 1 in 5 men.

Additionally, the insights suggest that men have a large opportunity to more meaningfully take their health into their own hands. According to the survey, 3 in 10 men have someone else book their health appointments. Within Zocdoc bookings, 81% of appointments booked on men's behalf are made by women.

Punctuality, clear communication, and a good rapport were identified as the top three traits men are looking for in their healthcare providers. And, among men who are visiting the doctor, more are seeking therapy. Bookings related to mental health rose notably from 2022 to 2023: Zocdoc booking data shows a 172% increase in psychotherapy bookings overall, with a 60% increase in first-time psychotherapy visits.

Furthermore, men's most-booked healthcare appointment reasons in the last year include annual physical, dermatology consultation, illness, and dental cleaning or consultation.

For more insights, click here