Making a Connection: Men's Health Week 2021
Men in Ireland face a number of challenges when it comes to caring for their health. In addition to an increased risk of heart disease, certain cancers and mental health difficulties, men also face an increased risk of health issues due to weight – with two thirds of men in Ireland being overweight or obese.
To mark International Men’s Health Week, we wanted to raise awareness of the biggest health problems faced by men. This year, the theme is ‘Making a Connection’, and men are encouraged to:
- CHECK IN with yourself to see how you are coping / feeling, and identify any health worries that you might have.
- CHECK UP on your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues to see how they’re doing and offer support.
- CHECK IT OUT if you notice anything worrying or that needs medical attention, and seek information / help / support / treatment as soon as possible.
Highlighting the biggest health issues men face in Ireland today, we explore what supports are available through health insurance, and what questions you should be asking your health insurance broker to ensure you're covered for what’s important to you.
Cancer
The number one cause of male death in Ireland is cancer, accounting for over 33% of deaths. While some of these can be prevented, to some extent, through lifestyle changes, many are linked to hereditary conditions or unknown causes – so screening and early diagnosis is crucial to reducing the risk of cancer.
The most common cancers in Irish men are:
- Skin: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in men in Ireland, and is more common in men than women. Every year, approximately 4,000 men in Ireland are diagnosed with skin cancer.
- Prostate: After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Ireland. One in eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with around 3,300 men in Ireland being told they have prostate cancer each year.
- Bowel: There are 1,400 cases diagnosed every year. Maintaining a healthy diet, eating well and being physically active can help reduce the risk of this cancer.
- Lung: This is the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland, despite their being a decline of deaths in recent years. This type of cancer is mostly preventable, with smoking being the main cause. Irish Life Health members with inpatient cover on their plan get €70 off the cost of an ‘Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking’ session. Laya Healthcare and Vhi members may also have access to smoking cessation programmes depending on their level of cover.
To ensure you have good cover for cancer screening, prevention and treatment, ask your health insurance broker these questions:
- What type of screening am I covered for on my health insurance plan?
- Are there any hospitals excluded from my health insurance plan?
- Will I have an excess for Day Case or Overnight stays in any hospitals?
- Will I get a refund on everyday expenses such as Consultant, GP, Physio etc.?
- Is there any other financial support available on my plan?
Find out more about getting cancer support through your health insurance here.
Mental Health
Of the 340 deaths by suicide in 2020, a massive 259 of these were men. More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds.
When struggling with mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, men often exhibit different behaviours and symptoms to women. In general, research shows that men are:
- Less likely to access psychological therapy
- More likely to turn to escapist behaviours, such as alcoholism and drug use
- More likely to be victims of violent crime
- Globally estimated to be 3x more likely to take their own life than women – rising to 4x more likely in Ireland alone.
In addition to this, men are more likely to exhibit symptoms such as irritability, sudden anger, loss of control, increased risk taking, and aggression – potentially making it more difficult for loved ones to understand and recognise an underlying problem.
All of the key health insurance providers in Ireland offer support for mental health and wellbeing, generally with 24/7 confidential support lines and counselling services. Laya, for example, state that every single one of their packages includes benefits and services to support mental wellbeing – with some of their schemes offering five face-to-face counselling sessions.
Likewise, Irish Life Health have a ‘Healthy Minds’ programme, which offers a 24/7 telephone support line with access to professional counsellors. They also cover six face-to-face counselling sessions through this programme and give access to their ‘LifeWorks’ app, where members can take an assessment to help understand their mental health. The app provides simple lifestyle changes that can positively impact your mental health.
Vhi partner with International EAP provider Optum in the provision of 24/7 service.
Be sure to check your provider’s website and your policy documents to find out exactly what’s available to you.
Cardiovascular Issues
In Ireland alone, 999 men died by heart attack last year, compared to 642 women. According to the recently published Vital Statistics 2020 yearly summary by the Central Statistic Office, of the 8,744 people who died from cardiovascular disease in 2020, 4,612 of them were men.
Up to 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable through lifestyle change and risk factor modification. Many health insurance plans offer a contribution to Cardiac screening, with some even offering full cover.
If you have Cardiac concerns – whether that be due to symptoms, family history or any other concerning factor – we recommend asking your health insurance broker the following 3 questions:
- Are ‘Listed Cardiac Procedures’ covered in all hospitals – including high-tech hospitals?
- Are there any shortfalls or co-payments on Cardiac procedures?
- Will I have to pay an excess for Cardiac procedures?
Remember: most health insurance plans come with a 26-week standard waiting period if you’re taking out health insurance for the first time – rising to 5 years for pre-existing conditions. So don’t wait until you feel unwell to start thinking about health insurance.
Health & Wellbeing
Often, cardiovascular disease is linked to weight factors. Two thirds of the male Irish population are obese or overweight, and taking care of your physical health and diet can make a huge difference in reducing your risk of suffering a heart attack - as well as other medical complications, such as diabetes.
There are a variety of services available to promote exercise and sport fitness through health insurance. Some Vhi plans cover fitness screening in a Sports Surgery Clinic, as well as money back on strength and conditioning; while Irish Life Health offers a dedicated Sports Extra plan through their '4D Health' range. This includes a whole host of benefits, from contributions towards wearable trackers and gym membership to metabolic testing and sports psychologist visits. 'Healthcoach' is available on many of Laya Healthcare's plans, giving members access to a fitness, nutrition and wellbeing programme.
To find out which benefits are available through your current provider, take a look at our spotlight features on each of Ireland's three providers:
Make a Connection
We know all of this information can be daunting. No one wants to think about the possibility of facing any of these health difficulties. But with most insurance plans coming with a standard 26-week waiting period before you can access treatment, it's important you get the right plan in place now - so you can rest assured your health is in the best of hands, should you become ill.
All three of Ireland's health insurance providers offer great cover and benefits for the health issues we've outlined above. However, with over 320 plans available in Ireland, finding the right one for your unique needs and preferences can be challenging.
If you'd like any support in choosing the right plan or have any questions about health insurance, we're happy to help. Get in touch with our friendly team of experts using the form below, and we'd be happy to provide advice and guidance to get you on the right track.