Despite significant advances in healthcare access and awareness, men are still far less likely than women to seek preventive care. This hesitation not only puts their long-term health at risk, it also impacts the bottom line for employers.

June is Men’s Health Month, making it the perfect time to examine the barriers men face when accessing care, and how proactive solutions like onsite healthcare can help.

For HR professionals looking to reduce claims, boost retention, and improve employee engagement, addressing the men’s health gap is more than a wellness initiative, it’s a business imperative.

The Problem: Men Delay Care—Until It’s Too Late

Today’s HR teams are no longer just managing open enrollment—they’re designing long-term health strategies. With increased pressure to attract and retain talent, workplace wellness has become a powerful differentiator.

TargetCare’s onsite care model equips HR with tools to offer accessible, integrated healthcare solutions that go beyond traditional coverage.

According to a national survey by the Cleveland Clinic, 50% of men say they don't engage in regular health checkups. Many avoid doctor visits alltogether unless they're experiencing serious symptoms. That's a huge red flag, especially when you consider that men are:

• More likely to develop chronic conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure

• Less likely to seek mental health care

• More likely to die from preventable conditions

On top of that, the CDC reports that men have a life expentacy nearly 6 shorter than women. When employees wait too long to get care, the costs don't just show up in the ER, they show up in claims data, productivity losses, and turnover. 

Why Men Skip the Doctor—and What It Costs Employers

Understanding the "why" behind men’s health habits helps employers build better, more effective benefits strategies.

Common reasons men avoid healthcare include:

• Embarrassment or discomfort discussing symptoms

• Belief that they’re “tough enough” to power through illness or pain

• Scheduling challenges or lack of convenient access

• Fear of diagnosis or being told to change habits

The result? Men are less likely to manage chronic conditions and more likely to let small issues become major health—and cost—problems.

From a business perspective, this has real consequences:

• Unmanaged chronic conditions lead to higher insurance claims
  

• Skipped preventive care leads to missed early interventions
  

• Poor health drives up absenteeism and presenteeism
  

Health-related stress affects engagement and morale

A disengaged workforce is a costly one. According to Gallup, companies with low engagement experience 81% higher absenteeism and 18% lower productivity.

The Solution: Meeting Men Where They Are—At Work

What if we could reduce those barriers and increase engagement with preventive care?

That’s exactly what onsite clinics do. By bringing care directly to the workplace, employers remove the friction men often feel when trying to access healthcare. No need to drive across town. No need to wait months for an appointment. And no need to take hours off work.

Onsite clinics provide:

• Same-day appointments with licensed providers

• Biometric screenings and lab work

• Preventive checkups tailored to men’s health risks

• Mental health resources in a private, accessible environment

• Follow-up support and chronic condition coaching
  

  This proactive, personal, and accessible approach removes excuses and builds trust, especially for men who may have avoided traditional care in the past.

Real Results: How Onsite Care Improves Men’s Health and Lowers Risk

We’ve seen firsthand how impactful onsite clinics can be in supporting men’s health.

Take, for example, a 47-year-old employee who hadn’t seen a doctor in five years. During a routine wellness screening at his company’s onsite clinic, he discovered elevated blood pressure and early signs of Type 2 diabetes. Because of early intervention and regular coaching with a TargetCare provider, he began making small changes to his diet and activity levels—and reversed the trend before it became a major health issue.

That’s a win for the employee—and a win for the employer, who avoided costly claims, missed workdays, and long-term complications.

When employees trust the healthcare available to them, they engage. And when they engage, outcomes improve.

Making the Case: The ROI of Better Men’s Health Engagement

Investing in men’s health isn’t just about wellness—it’s a smart business move.

Here’s what the numbers say:

• 90% of U.S. healthcare spending is linked to chronic disease and mental health (CDC)

• Employers lose $225.8 billion annually to absenteeism (CDC)

• Engaged employees result in 23% higher profitability (Gallup)

By promoting routine care, improving chronic disease management, and offering real-time access to mental health resources, onsite clinics help employers get ahead of claims and turnover before they spiral out of control.

Plus, onsite care supports self-funded employers by minimizing out-of-network claims and providing actionable population health data.

How you can help businesses take action:

HR leaders and brokers play a crucial role in reshaping the benefits landscape. To better support men’s health, consider these steps:

1. Make Preventive Care Easy: Offer onsite health care options that employees can access without hassle.

2. Reduce the Stigma: Host workshops, health talks, or internal campaigns that normalize men talking about their health—especially mental health.

3. Measure Impact: Track engagement, absenteeism, and claims tied to chronic conditions before and after implementing onsite care.

4. Lead With Trust: Choose partners like TargetCare that emphasize personalized care, privacy, and continuity—especially important for male employees who may be hesitant to engage.

Final Thoughts: Men’s Health is Business Health

Onsite healthcare offers a proactive, measurable way to support your team while improving your bottom line. It helps men take control of their health and helps employers take control of rising costs, retention issues, and lost productivity.

This Men’s Health Month, let’s commit to closing the care gap—and creating a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Ready to take the next step? Connect with TargetCare to explore onsite healthcare solutions for your organization.