Putting off doctor visits, postponing vaccines and downplaying medical symptoms? If that sounds familiar and you’re a middle-aged man, you are not alone.

Studies show that men are more apt than women to forgo annual exams and seek provider help during the previous year, despite half of them having at least one chronic health condition.

UCHealth wants to change that with a new annual campaign aimed at engaging, educating and involving men throughout Colorado in their health care.

“We want to reach men in a relevant way to deliver a healthcare message that they can integrate into their life,” said Christina Hixson, UCHealth senior director of partnerships.

While UCHealth has long promoted the importance of men taking ownership of their health through its MANtenance program, it has evolved this year from a month-long event every June to a yearly conversation targeted at men ages 40-64 to transition them from reluctant to willing participants when it comes to heading to a provider’s office.

“What we’ve learned is that they are worried about what might be said in a doctor’s office, and that they are anxious and uneasy,” Hixson said. “We’re hoping that this new approach will feel less intimidating and more friendly.”

Men can be reluctance to seek medical help

A combination of factors keeps many men from seeing healthcare providers: fear of what they might learn; reluctance to have uncomfortable conversations; and fulfilling family and work responsibilities, she said.

Getting men accustomed to reporting symptoms more often beginning in their 40s, as well as seeing providers for chronic conditions, are good ways for them to stay on top of their medical needs, she said.

It also lays the groundwork for the next few decades of healthy habits, as U.S. statistics show that women on average live five years longer than men.

Head to MANtenance, a men’s health website

By clicking on the updated MANtenance website, users provide their name, email and date of birth, and that will connect them to resources, advice and events. In the coming months, more information will be available on fitness, hobbies, exercise and diet.

“You want to lead a healthy lifestyle, and we are here to help you lead a healthy lifestyle,” Hixson said. “It is important for you to take care of yourself. As a husband, father, grandfather and partner.”

Here are 10 common health risks for men over 40:

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, over cancer and accidents. Diet and exercise are important in reducing the risk.
• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is more prevalent in men than women.  Regular doctor visits are recommended to determine whether medication is needed.    
• High cholesterol can lead to arterial blockage, heart disease and strokes. Diets high in saturated fat are a chief cause. Statins can help reduce LDL cholesterol.
• Enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is nonmalignant prostate growth and common as men grow older. It can be a risk if there are lower urinary tract symptoms, such as incontinence or painful urination.
• Colon cancer increases with age. The American Cancer Society reports that the overall rate of colon or rectal cancer has dropped slightly since the mid-1980s, due mainly to increased screening and better diets and other lifestyle factors.   
• Skin cancer is more prevalent in men than women. Coloradans have a higher rate of melanoma and carcinoma than most states because of our elevation and outdoor lifestyles. The best protection is sunscreen and protective clothing.
• Diabetes is diagnosed as either Type 1, when the body doesn’t produce insulin, or the more common Type 2, when the body doesn’t use insulin properly. The American Diabetes Association advises managing blood sugar levels by healthy eating and exercise and if necessary, medication or insulin.
• Kidney stones are hard deposits, such as calcium, caused by several factors including diet or certain medications. They can be painful if lodged in the urinary tract and require medical attention.
• Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox and is more prevalent as you grow older. Symptoms include painful rashes and blisters. Vaccines help prevent shingles, which usually require medical attention.         
• Sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops and starts during sleep and is more common in older men. It can be treated with an oxygen breathing device.