Page 13 - IFV October Issue 2025
P. 13

Health




                DIGITAL INTERVENTIONS FOR MEN

           WHO HABITUALLY AVOID THE DOCTOR




           A persistent challenge is to encourage South African men to seek medical
           advice or attend regular health screenings. Despite increased access to health
           information in today’s digital age, many South African men remain under-

           engaged in managing their own health. Women fare better in this regard.
















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 Exclusive discounts on   No annual limits on our   Get coverage for older   Sign up for our
           U      blood   pressure)  as  an  information  online  far  less  frequently   differently for men and women – with
 Bob Martin products*  Comprehensive Plan  pets with our Smart Plan  lifestyle benefits*  sing  hypertension  (high  they tend to search for health-related   digital health tools should be tailored

                  example,  studies  show  that
                                             study involving over 950 patients found
                                                                              driven, engaging content and men
           men lag behind in hypertension    than women. An extensive German   women responding more to socially
           awareness and treatment - often due   that women are not only more inclined   potentially benefiting more from
 visit     to socio-cultural norms, economic   to search for health information online,   structured virtual health services offered
           pressures and limited healthcare
                                             but also do so with stronger emotional
                                                                              by general practitioners and clinics.
 www.bobsure.co.za  Helping pets live longer since 1892.  access during working hours. Health   and social motivations.   Similar patterns of gender differences
           experts and industry leaders are now   The study also revealed that men and   in online health-seeking behaviour have
           calling for a shift in approach to better   women differ in how they interact with   been observed in studies from various
           support men in managing their long-  healthcare professionals online. Men,   countries,  indicating that this trend  is
           term health, starting with how to use   for instance, showed more interest in   consistent across different cultures and
           digital resources effectively.    developing virtual relationships with   regions worldwide.
 *Discounts and lifestyle benefits are exclusive to
 our Comprehensive Plan and optional to our Smart   their doctors, such as through online
 Plan policyholders. Lifestyle benefits include a   The digital divide in men’s health-  consultations, booking appointments   The potential of AI in men’s health
 “vet in your pocket” via the TAME App and R1000
 per year to spend on health checks, vaccinations,   seeking behaviour  digitally and receiving test results via   Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  is
 products or training. All prices include VAT.  Pet Underwriting Managing Agency – An Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP No. 44387)
 Insurer: Renasa Insurance Company Ltd – Reg. No. 1998/000916/06– Authorised Non-Life Financial Services Provider (FSP No. 15491)
 Terms and Conditions apply.  Swift Underwriting Managers is a registered FSP (FSP No. 49285)  While men are active internet users,   email.  These findings suggest that   revolutionising healthcare by providing

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