Bringing Awareness to Men’s Health Issues During “Movember”
Quick look: Movember has arrived! And though mustaches abound, they serve a higher purpose by bringing focus to the importance of men’s health, particularly prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. Providing benefits and resources to address these specific issues is critical, and ExtensisHR is here to assist brokers in giving clients what they need.
Every year, November transforms into “Movember” to increase awareness about men’s health issues. As part of the widespread initiative, men are encouraged to grow mustaches throughout the month to spark conversations about their unique health concerns and to raise funds for related charities and research.
Participants often seek sponsorship from friends, family, and colleagues to support their efforts, with funds raised going to organizations working on men’s health initiatives. During this time, businesses can also take an active role by reviewing their benefit options to ensure specific needs are covered. Therefore, brokers should consider this an opportunity to expand their network and offerings to better serve clients headed into the new year.
The history of Movember
The Movember movement began in 2003, when two Australian friends, Travis Garrone and Luke Slattery, recruited 30 men to grow mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health and prostate cancer.
Since then, an estimated 6 million people have participated in Movember, and the movement has funded over 1,300 men’s health projects dedicated to addressing three major men’s wellness issues: mental health and prostate and testicular cancers.
Three actions brokers can take today
The attention-grabbing mustaches of Movember pave the way for bigger conversations and actions in support of men’s health. For brokers, this begins and ends with employee benefits.
Business leaders are looking to brokers more than ever for advice and guidance on protecting company growth. Providing access to more comprehensive health plans, resources, and tools is one powerful way to keep clients and employees engaged. And while raising awareness is valuable on a universal level, there are ways to make a personal difference starting today.
1. Prioritize mental health
The official Movember program encourages participants to run or walk 60 miles throughout November to signify the 60 men lost to suicide every hour worldwide. This is effective symbolically, but brokers can also make a more tangible change by expanding their offerings to include mental health coverage.
The conversation around mental health care has changed substantially in the last few years. What once was a stigmatized well-being challenge is now front and center as an in-demand employee benefit for both men and women. It’s no longer a nice-to-have extra; people expect companies to include this in their compensation packages. The days of offering one or two standard health plans to cover all participants are over. With a variety of ever-changing needs based on a person’s age, gender, and lifestyle, adjustments must be made accordingly.
Meanwhile, many brokers have also taken benefit planning a step further by customizing packages to accommodate their clients’ special needs. While Movember is focused on men’s mental health issues, everyone receives higher value when they receive benefits relevant to them. When brokers meet these diverse needs, clients and their employees are happier, healthier, and more productive.
2. Aim for diversity and accessibility
Easy-to-access healthcare with relatable providers is crucial to fostering men’s health. For instance, prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men and is more prevalent among Black men. Brokers can help their clients gain access to a diverse and representative network of healthcare providers to improve a patient’s healthcare experience and outcomes.
Motivating younger men to pay close attention to their health is also key. Typically, the risk of prostate and testicular cancers increases with age. However, younger generations can be affected as well, which means early conversations with a doctor are important.
The top reasons for not seeking preventive care include living far from providers and perceived cost. Eliminating barriers to care allows employees to pursue the coverage they and their families truly need. Plus, they’ll feel more equipped to make medical decisions and utilize their available benefits. Many are exploring the versatility of telehealth and a health savings account (HSA) linked to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), which can provide greater cost-conscious options.
3. Partner with a PEO
Brokers can significantly impact men’s health by collaborating with a professional employer organization (PEO). These HR outsourcing firms host teams of experts who specialize in connecting your clients to the best possible benefits for their company.
A PEO provides premium-level benefits at competitive prices within its HR solution. As a PEO partner, ExtensisHR offers a cancer-specific program designed to prevent, detect, and treat cancer and provide both medical and emotional support. Program services include:
- Real-time support from oncology nurses
- Preventive and post-diagnosis DNA testing
- A portal to house medical records, clinical trial information, expenses, and financial aid opportunities
- Hereditary risk screening tests
- Cancer information line
- Cancer support specialists
- An expert pathology review
- An on-site nurse advocate
ExtensisHR also offers access to an employee assistance program (EAP) through its partnership with The Standard. This program provides 24/7 care for work-related and personal problems, including short-term counseling, referral services, educational resources, and outreach. This support is offered in a confidential, convenient way to encourage employees to seek the help they need.
Making Movember matter
Employee benefits are at the heart of improving men’s health and saving lives. However, to make the most impact, people need access to affordable, diverse, accessible healthcare—something that brokers and their PEO partners can provide.
ExtensisHR’s Fortune 500-level benefits offerings, paired with its expert benefits administration and management services, are the ultimate tools for fostering men’s health within your clients’ organizations.
Movember is well underway, but bringing attention to men’s health concerns has no time limit. Though growing a mustache is a symbolic first step, brokers can have a positive, long-term impact when they align their clients with a PEO partner.
And don’t forget—the best way to support Movember’s mission is to care for your health. Schedule your screening today and get tested!
Together, we can forge a healthier future. Contact us today to learn more about our employee benefits solutions and our broker-friendly philosophy.
