Impact of E-Health Programs on Men’s Health
Study Overview
A recent study conducted in Canada investigated the effects of an e-health program on men’s health. The findings revealed that 75% of regular users of health apps reported healthier meal choices, 70% increased their physical activity, 56% aimed to sit less and move more, 46% achieved weight loss, and 45% reduced their alcohol intake. These results highlight the potential benefits of such programs.
Men’s Life Expectancy and Health Behaviors
Globally, the average life expectancy for men is 69.8 years, which is five years shorter than that of women. While biological factors contribute to this disparity, men’s behaviors play a significant role. Historically, men are less inclined to seek medical assistance, with some surveys indicating that they prefer household chores over visiting a doctor.
Risky behaviors and leading causes of mortality in men, such as heart disease, liver failure, and accidents, are largely preventable. Promoting healthy habits through e-health apps presents a promising opportunity to address these issues. Researchers are focused on creating e-health programs that are accessible to men regardless of their educational or financial circumstances.
Don’t Change Much (DCM) E-Health Program
One notable initiative is the Don’t Change Much (DCM) e-health program in Canada, which offers health tips, exercise recommendations, and resources to encourage healthy behaviors among men. To evaluate the program’s effectiveness, a Canadian study compared the health outcomes of men using DCM e-health with those who did not participate in any e-health initiatives. The results were published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Study Details and Methodology
The study involved 863 men utilizing the DCM e-health program and 2,000 men who did not engage with any e-health resources. Participants completed questionnaires providing demographic information and details about their recent and planned health changes. They could select specific actions related to diet, exercise, healthcare, weight loss, and smoking.
Additionally, DCM e-health users answered extra questions regarding their interaction with the app, including components like the website, email newsletter, and social media. Researchers analyzed this data statistically to identify any correlations between health habits and the use of DCM e-health features.
Findings and Expert Insights
The study’s findings indicated that participants who used the DCM e-health app exhibited improved health habits. For instance, 75% of regular users reported healthier eating, 70% increased their exercise levels, 56% aimed to reduce sedentary behavior, 46% lost weight, and 45% decreased alcohol consumption.
Nick Black, co-author of the study, stated, “e-health sites like this are particularly relevant for men during the COVID-19 lockdown, and potentially into the future as an alternative to physical facilities. They can choose and freely use content that is relevant and timely for them, any time they want.”
References
1. Oliffe J, Black N, Yiu J, Flannigan R, McCreary D, Goldenberg S. Mapping Canadian Men’s Recent and Intended Health Behavior Changes Through the Don’t Change Much Electronic Health Program. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(5):e16174. doi:10.2196/16174.
2. Newsroom.clevelandclinic.org. https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/09/2019-Cleveland-Clinic-MENtion-It-Survey-Results-Overview.pdf. Published 2020. Accessed June 15, 2020.
3. FastStats. Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm. Published 2020. Accessed June 15, 2020.
4. Life expectancy. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/gho/mortality_burden_disease/life_tables/situation_trends_text/en/. Published 2020. Accessed June 15, 2020.
5. WHO | Female life expectancy. Who.int. https://www.who.int/gho/women_and_health/mortality/situation_trends_life_expectancy/en/. Published 2020. Accessed June 15, 2020.