Not Enough Men Getting Preventive Health Care: Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Marks Men’s Health Week By Emphasizing Importance Of Regular Checkups

For Immediate Release: June 16, 2014

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(New Haven, Conn.) – This year for Men’s Health Week, June 9-15, 2014, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England is highlighting the need for regular checkups — and, if they are sexually active, regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV — as a critical part of staying healthy for men of all ages.

 “Not enough men get the checkups and preventive care they need. It can be easy to take your health for granted, but preventive care is an important part of staying safe, healthy and happy,” said Jenny Carrillo, PhD, Senior Vice President of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.  

 Men are less likely to visit the doctor until they are experiencing the symptoms of a serious ailment. Twenty-four percent of men do not have a usual source of health care, and twenty-one percent of men did not have a health care visit at all in 2012.

 “PPSNE is proud to be a source of care for men in Connecticut and Rhode Island and to answer any questions they may have about their health,” said Dr. Timothy Spurrell, Medical Director of PPSNE. “A visit to a health care provider is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have — nothing is off-limits. We are here to give you accurate, nonjudgmental information and advice.”

 Planned Parenthood provides basic health care for men, including testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV testing, and sexual health information and education. Getting tested for STDs is a basic part of staying healthy and taking control of your sex life — and it is easier than ever before. For STDs, remember the following: 

•     Get tested. Many STDs do not cause any symptoms, so the only way to know your status for sure is to get tested.

•     STD tests are quick, simple and painless. For example, rapid HIV tests can provide results in as fast as 20 minutes from just a swab inside the mouth.

•     Talk about it. You can take care of yourself and your partner by talking about getting tested before you start having sex. Since many STDs show no symptoms, you or your partner may have an STD from a previous relationship and not know it.

•     Planned Parenthood’s online tool The Check offers guidance and tips about STDs and helps direct people to a local health center.

“Protecting yourself against sexually transmitted diseases is one of the most important things men can do to protect their health,” said Spurrell. “STDs, if not treated, can lead to serious health outcomes.”

In the last 10 years, Planned Parenthood has nearly doubled the number of male patients we see nationally. Between 2002 and 2012, there was an 83 percent increase in Planned Parenthood male clients.

Planned Parenthood is a trusted, local resource for convenient and confidential services for men, women and young people, including STD/STI testing, HIV testing and counseling, cancer screenings, emergency contraception and more. PPSNE has a sliding fee scale based on one’s income and participates in many insurance plans. 

To find the health center nearest you call 1 (800) 230-PLAN (7526) or visit ppsne.org.

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Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s largest providers of family planning and reproductive health care services. Since 1923, PPSNE has evolved into an organization with 18 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, delivering care to over 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive.