Health Engagement
The numbers speak volumes. ’In the UK, only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men, despite men making up nearly half the population’1 says Scottish Widows (SW). As women are ‘three times more likely to experience common health problems’1, they are more likely to seek help to address them, potentially resulting in a women having a greater engagement in their own health than men, according to SW.
Although the service availability and ability to access help is the same for both genders, the statistics indicate that there is a gap in the number of women accessing health services to men, and a notion that ‘traditional masculinity norms’1 are potentially holding men back from narrowing the gap and engaging in their own health and the help available.
‘Ignoring health and wellbeing services doesn’t just impact personal health — it has financial consequences.’ 1
Perceived Value
It is also suggested by Scottish Widows that men’s perception of value also affects their view of wellbeing services. They may be more inclined to undervalue local support groups as they ‘do not see a tangible financial benefit’1. The risk of such a mindset does not just limit the value placed on health but on the financial protection that can be gained from a life and specified critical illness policy.
"Know that help and advice is
there when you need it."
Protection
As advisers, we recognise how we could play a part in narrowing the gap as we are always presented with a difference in mindsets around arranging a protection policy and perceptions of health. Chronic conditions, untreated mental health issues, and preventable diseases can lead to higher premiums, reduced productivity and income, early retirement or disability. Ignoring health issues and delaying getting protection exposes a person to the most vulnerable of financial situations: that you can’t support yourselves and those who may be dependent upon. Know that help and advice is there when you need it.
If you do not have protection, please contact us as your everyday may not always be everyday.
Source
1 Scottish Widows, 2025
https://adviser.scottishwidows.co.uk/expertise/the-debrief/debrief-article-archive/why-men-undervalue-health-and-wellbeing-services.html
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage.
You may be charged a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend on your circumstances.
HomeLife Financial Solutions Ltd are an Appointed Representative of HL Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Share this post: