Men's use of general practitioner services

Abstract

The use, or rather the non-use, of health services by men is currently one of the main concerns in men’s health. The Health of the People of NSW—Report of the Chief Health Officer, 2000 notes that men access health services (that is, hospital and general practitioner services as well as other providers such as naturopaths and telephone counselling services) at a lower rate than females. It also notes that men use preventive health services at a lower rate than women (although there are fewer preventative and screening services directed at men). Given that men show a higher level of serious morbidity, and have a lower life expectancy in all age groups, this comparatively low usage of services is surprising.