From the Guidelines
Medicare recommends the following wellness guidelines for males:
Annual Wellness Visits
Annual wellness visits are recommended for all male Medicare beneficiaries.
Screening for Certain Conditions
Screening for certain conditions is also recommended, including:
- Blood pressure checks every 2 years for males aged 18-39 and every year for males aged 40 and over
- Lipid profile checks every 5 years for males aged 35-39 and every year for males aged 40 and over
- Diabetes screening for males aged 45 and over, or for those with risk factors
- Colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50
- Prostate cancer screening starting at age 50, with a discussion of the benefits and risks, as recommended by the American Cancer Society guideline for the early detection of prostate cancer 1
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for males aged 65-75 who have ever smoked
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are also recommended, including:
- Influenza vaccine annually
- Pneumococcal vaccine at age 65
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) booster every 10 years
Healthy Lifestyle
Additionally, males are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including:
- A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Regular physical activity, such as at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week
- Not smoking, and avoiding secondhand smoke
- Limiting alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks per day
It's worth noting that the American Cancer Society recommends that men at higher risk, including African American men and men with a family member (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years, should receive information about prostate cancer screening starting at age 45 years, and men at appreciably higher risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years) should receive this information starting at age 40 years 1. Asymptomatic men who have less than a 10-year life expectancy based on age and health status should not be offered prostate cancer screening 1.
From the Research
Medicare Wellness Guidelines for Males
There are no specific Medicare wellness guidelines for males mentioned in the provided studies. However, the studies discuss the importance of Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) for Medicare beneficiaries, including males, in preventing disease and promoting health.
Key Findings
- The studies suggest that AWVs are underutilized, with many beneficiaries not aware of the service or confused about its purpose 2, 3.
- The current "one size fits all" approach to AWVs may not adequately meet the wellness needs of a diverse population of older adults, including males 4.
- AWVs have been shown to improve screening rates for preventive care services, including vaccinations and cancer screenings, which can help reduce the burden of disease in males 5.
Strategies for Improvement
- Healthcare professionals can increase promotion of AWV services to beneficiaries, including males, to increase participation in these preventive visits 2.
- AWVs can be tailored to meet the needs and priorities of older adults, including males, by incorporating geriatrics approaches to care, such as geriatrics Glidepaths and the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System 4.
- Standardizing policies regarding AWVs across healthcare organizations and incorporating them into team care can also promote more effective and consistent use of AWVs 3.