Bridgeport Hospital Men’s Health Program

Did you know that American men are often reluctant to seek care for their health? Research from the Commonwealth Fund found 82% of men would delay care even if they were concerned about their health: 25% would wait as long as possible to visit their doctor, 17% would wait a week, and 40% would wait at least a few days.  Men are similarly hesitant to seek preventive care:  studies show that 60% of men 50 years and older had not visited their doctor for a colon cancer screening and 41% had not been tested for prostate cancer in the last year.

This hesitancy to seek medical care can lead to preventable hospitalizations, which increases health care costs and contributes to men living an average of six years less than women.  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that men are 28% more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure, 32% more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes, and are 24% more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by immunization.

Bridgeport Hospital wants to improve health outcomes for men through a new Men’s Health Program.  We want to help men focus on wellness and prevention to prevent disease and also facilitate access to physician appointments and services when there is a health concern.  Our physicians know from experience that many of their patients whom they refer to other physicians or services do not follow through for a variety of reasons such as lack of time, priority or interest.  But these factors can be easily overcome by coordinated care and exceptional service within a network of providers.

Click here to learn more about our Men’s Health Program and celebrate Father’s Day with us by being among the first to make a gift in support of this promising new initiative.

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