When we discuss men’s health, we often think of obvious issues, like heart disease and prostate cancer. But we’re missing a crucial perspective: the health experiences of men living with disabilities. To mark Men’s Health Week 2026, which takes place from 15 to 21 June, we learn more
Men’s health is a complex beast. It’s widely known that men can be stubborn when it comes to going to the doctors about health concerns – and the stats back this up. Thanks to cultural attitudes and societal expectations around masculinity, many men prefer to ‘tough it out’ than seek help. Lack of time, not wanting to waste their GP’s time, or embarrassment around discussing health matters (even though we all know doctors deal with all sorts of examinations and issues every day) are some of the key reasons for this, according to the Institute of Cancer Research. Some men also have a fear of receiving bad news, or think that a problem will get better by itself.
PREVENTABLE DEATHS
This all has a huge impact on men’s wellbeing. According to men’s health movement Movember: “Men are dying on average 4.5 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.”
For many disabled men, visits to the doctor are unavoidable. A chronic health condition or disability means medical appointments are often necessary – but access barriers, communication challenges, and unhelpful assumptions can make it difficult to receive quality healthcare.
But healthcare is a right, not a privilege. So how can you make sure you get the support and treatment you’re entitled to?
THE KNOWLEDGE
Equipping yourself with knowledge about health is a great place to start. Health literacy refers to a person’s ability to understand and use information to make decisions about their health. Research shows women are more health literate than men – possibly due to dealing with issues like menstruation and pregnancy, and also because they’re in caregiving roles more often.
Men are twice as likely to have inadequate understanding of health information. This can lead to problems, including ignoring symptoms (which can lead to late diagnosis), not taking part in regular screening, and poor mental health awareness. Poor health literacy even extends to disabled individuals who live with daily symptoms. A US study of 4,700 adults with MS who were taking disease-modifying medications (DMMs) found female MS patients reported better awareness of disease symptoms and had more positive perceptions of their ability to manage therapy with DMMs than male MS patients.
TARGETED CAMPAIGNS
The NHS and charities are working hard to target men with campaigns on many different health issues – from smoking cessation and mental health awareness, to Movember and Prostate Progress. These all aim to raise awareness, promote conversations and help ensure men live longer, healthier lives.
If you’re called for any sort of health screening, it’s vital you attend. Bowel cancer screening is offered to everyone aged 50 to 74 every 2 years. And, if you’re aged 40 to 74, you can request an NHS Health Check to look at your heart health and cholesterol. Some GPs offer a well-man check, which might include blood pressure and cholesterol check, a blood test for prostate cancer, a testicular examination, BMI check, diabetes screening and lifestyle advice.
BE PREPARED
Before any medical appointment, make your access needs known – the provider is legally required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure you can attend. This might mean step-free access or accessible examination equipment, a sign language interpreter, written information in alternative formats, or extra time during consultations – such as requesting a double appointment with your GP.
Preparing before appointments can help, so write down your symptoms or concerns and how they’re impacting your life, or take someone along with you for support. You may find your symptoms are dismissed as being part of your regular condition. In that case, practise some wording you can use that will help you advocate for yourself, like: “This feels different from my normal symptoms, I want to explore it further,” or “I’m concerned something else might be going on.”
PREVENTION
We all know prevention is better than cure when it comes to health. Living with a disability may make accessing exercise or healthy foods more difficult, but there’s no harm in considering options such as adaptive sports clubs, meal delivery services, or local support groups like Men’s Sheds, to help reduce loneliness. Anything that helps improve your health is a bonus.
And don’t neglect your mental health. Thankfully, there’s a growing awareness of the need to support positive mental health in men since, according to Movember: “Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides.” If you open up about how you’re feeling to a friend, to your GP, or at a support group like Andy’s Man Club, you’ll realise you’re not alone in feelings of low mood or anxiety, and can take steps on the path to recovery – whether that’s through talking therapies, medication, or practical actions towards positive mental health.
Taking care of your health is important, as Dr Naveen Puri, Associate Clinical Director at Bupa Health Clinics affirms: “Delaying appointments or self-diagnosing online delays getting the support you need. The vast majority of concerns can be treated quickly and easily, so there’s no need to endure pain or discomfort while hoping it goes away on its own. What’s more, if you do need support, early diagnosis typically means faster access to treatment and quicker recovery, and can ultimately save lives.”