Historically, Latino men are an understudied group. Researchers know little about the impact of culture or gender on health concerns. In this study, focus groups with Latino men were held that investigated their health concerns, barriers, motivators, and access to health information and health services. Additionally, the researchers wished to determine if a church-based design might help reach men who might not be responsive to more traditional health education or public health routes. Results included that the Latino male participants in this study wanted health information but wanted it to be more specific and in an accessible format. They also desired more Spanish-speaking health care providers and were acutely interested in low-cost health care. Prevention was not of much interest to these participants. Church-attending participants were interested in church-based health education.

The purpose of this study was to use focus groups to explore married men’s avoidance of health-care utilization. Five focus groups of 8 to 10 married, heterosexual, male participants ( N = 44) were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Several important themes emerged connected to how masculine norms were associated with health-care utilization at several domains including at the organizational level ( perceptions of doctors ), interpersonal level ( past family context and current family context ), and individual level ( illness severity, money concerns ). These themes were all connected with the societal theme of masculine norms , where men’s reasons for health-care utilization (or underutilization) seemed in large part to emerge because of their perceptions of male gender roles. Implications for married men’s health-care utilization and health prevention education will be discussed.

Masculine gender scripts have been influential in health decision making in men. In addition, although past research has identified some success in using churches as sites for health education with women, little is known if similar programs would be successful with men. It is also unclear if religious beliefs influence the health attitudes and behaviors of men. Four focus groups with men from four religious denominations were conducted to learn about their health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, with the following themes emerging: men's health fears, health promotion behaviors, spousal influence, aging and men's health, and church-based health influence. Finally, the interaction of masculine gender scripts within these themes was considered.

ArticleThis review discusses the research on men and their healthrelated behaviors or health practices with special attention given to the influence of the hegemonic masculinity framework on men generally and aging men particularly. Of specific interest is consideration of whether men's health-related behaviors adjust as they age. How do biological, social, psychological, and behavioral factors interact and does that interaction affect men's health practices (Courtenay, 2002)? Is it possible for aging men to adapt concepts of masculinity and related masculine gender scripts to better meet their changing health needs in later life and still fit within their personalized construct of masculinity? If so, what influences these actions? In her landmark discussion of gender and health, Verbrugge (1985) suggests three broad categories as possibly influential-biological risks related to illness and disease, acquired risks associated with work and play activities, and psychosocial factors that include gender-influenced responses to these risk categories as well as overarching constructs such as hegemonic masculinity. We conclude with a discussion of a selection of interventions that focus on improvement of men's health education and health-related behaviors as well as suggestions for areas of future research. IntroductionCompared with women, men appear to be at higher risk at younger ages of morbidity and mortality, and it seems that men with the strongest masculinity beliefs are at the highest risk and least likely to engage in preventive health care behaviors (Bird & Rieker, 2008;Garfield, Isacco, & Rogers, 2008;Rieker & Bird, 2005;Springer & Mouzon, 2011). Well-entrenched beliefs about the way men should behave may stand in the way of more effective health-related actions and appropriate care. Indeed, it seems that "men are less likely than women to perceive themselves as being at risk for most health problems, even for problems that they are more likely than women to experience" (Courtenay, 2002, p. 2). Masculinity-derived beliefs either encourage men to engage in potentially harmful activities or to refrain from healthprotective behaviors (Williams, 2003). These masculinity beliefs do not simply reflect the biological risks that men have higher mortality rates than women for just about every illness that affects both genders except Alzheimer's disease, they also reflect that men seem to be attracted to risky behaviors more than women (Courtenay, 2000;Creighton & Oliffe, 2010;Lohan, 2007). Men smoke and drink more than women, are more prone to violence, are more likely to engage in sports with high injury rates, and are less likely to wear protective gear (e.g., helmets, seat belts, condoms; Addis, 2011;Giovanni, 2013). In fact, ". . . men are more likely than women to engage in over 30 health risk behaviors that increase the risk of disease, injury, and death . . ." (Mahalik & Burns, 2011, p. 1; see also, Courtenay, 2000). Another potentially risky health behavior common among some men is to ignore routine health sc...

As people age, they are at increased risk of needing assistance with household tasks and personal care. After summarizing research on older adults' preparation for future health care needs, we introduce a process model for promoting preparation processes. Our focus is on how social workers may best help individuals cope with these risks, that is, how to overcome barriers that inhibit preparation, find an option that fits the older adult's needs, and help the older adult implement care plans. Finally, we provide a case example for the application of the suggested model.