S4, Ep15: The Meaning of The Men's Health Gap | Rethinking how we reach men

Why do so many men wait until it’s too late to seek help? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I'm joined by public health expert Dr Dominick Shattuck to explore the real reasons behind the men’s health gap. From lower life expectancy to higher rates of suicide, cardiovascular disease and late-stage diagnosis, men consistently experience worse health outcomes—but the causes go far beyond individual choices. Together, we unpack how structural barriers, healthcare design, and masculine norms all influence the way men engage with preventative care. This conversation dives into why men often avoid doctors, how early life experiences shape long-term health behaviours, and what needs to change at a systems level to improve outcomes. You’ll also hear why meeting men where they are—through workplaces, sports, and communities—could be key to driving earlier intervention and better engagement. This is a powerful, evidence-based conversation about shifting the narrative from blame to understanding, and building a more effective approach to men’s health.   In this episode you will learn: Why men are more likely to delay seeking medical care The key drivers behind the men’s life expectancy gap How adolescence shapes lifelong health behaviours The impact of masculine norms on health decisions What systemic changes could improve men’s health outcomes   Hear more from Dominick: JHU Profile: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/faculty/4296/dominick-shattuck *AIBM: https://aibm.org/who-we-are/dominick-shattuck/ Relational Ground, LLC: https://www.relationalgroundllc.com/  *Dominick’s Substack: Relational Ground: https://dominickmenshealth.substack.com/  * Building Bridges: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C0bPO0iemPpl0Fl3LLtZAJdHe_hDZag6/view - This is a document I led as part of the Male Engagement Task Force. It provides some solid literature review on adolescence, masculinity, and related behaviors. You’ll recognize names in the literature.  Timestamps: 02:00: Why men’s health is more than individual choice 04:45: Dominick Shattuck’s background in global men’s health 09:20: The 5-year life expectancy gap explained 12:15: Why men engage late with healthcare systems 15:20: Root causes vs symptoms in men’s health 18:45: Adolescence and the drop-off in preventative care 23:15: Giving young men autonomy in health decisions 27:00: What men want from healthcare providers 30:00: Reframing health around performance & purpose 33:30: Leveraging masculinity for positive health outcomes 36:45: The power of humour and connection among men 38:30: Key system changes needed to improve men’s health 42:00: Meeting men where they are (work, sport, community) 45:30: The role of “third spaces” in men’s wellbeing 49:30: Final reflections & what needs to change