When it comes to taking care of their health, men often aren’t as concerned as women in several key areas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are more likely to delay regular physicals, are less likely to have a primary care physician, and are at greater risk for chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. When these issues are ignored, it usually leads to poor outcomes, higher costs, and shorter life expectancy for men. However, cellular remote patient monitoring (RPM), can help bridge that gap and offer a more proactive, convenient, and effective approach to managing men's health.
Understanding Cellular Remote Patient Monitoring
Cellular RPM refers to medical devices—such as blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and weight scales—that automatically transmit health data over a secure cellular connection as soon as the patient tests. Unlike Bluetooth-enabled or Wi-Fi-dependent devices, cellular RPM tools don’t require smartphones, apps, or internet access. This simplicity is especially effective for helping chronic condition patients who may be less tech-savvy or who live in rural areas with limited internet coverage.
Cellular RPM technology also helps eliminate issues with engagement by automatically sending health data to clinicians, which allows providers to monitor patients in real time and intervene early if a reading indicates a problem. The technology is especially valuable for chronic conditions that disproportionately affect men.
Addressing the Male Health Engagement Gap
Men are less likely than women to seek medical help, usually waiting until symptoms become serious. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published findings that 44.5% of women had a healthcare visit in 2022, compared to 24.9% of men. This hesitation can stem from unfounded expectations of typical male behavior, lack of health education, or inconvenience. Cellular RPM helps tackle these barriers in multiple ways:
- Ease of Use: There’s no need to install an app, sync a device, or even have an internet connection. Cellular RPM devices work right out of the box, automatically sending data to the care team.
- Reduced Need for In-Person Visits: With remote data collection, patients can manage their health from home without needing to carve out time for frequent doctor’s appointments.
- Privacy and Comfort: A patient can take their readings privately, avoiding the discomfort or stigma they might associate with discussing health concerns in person.
- Consistent Engagement: By receiving real-time feedback and alerts, the patient is more likely to stay engaged in managing chronic conditions, increasing adherence to care plans and medications.
Improving Outcomes for Common Men’s Health Issues
Men face unique health challenges that benefit significantly from early detection and consistent monitoring. Here’s how cellular RPM can play a vital role in managing some of the most common men’s health conditions:
- Heart Disease and Hypertension
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in the U.S. Many of its risk factors—such as high blood pressure—are manageable with early intervention. A cellular-connected blood pressure monitor can help a physician track a patient’s blood pressure trends in real time and over time, allowing for adjustments before a serious event like a heart attack or stroke occurs.
- Type 2 Diabetes
Men are somewhat more likely than women to develop type 2 diabetes. Managing it requires regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, diet, weight, and physical activity. With cellular RPM, a glucose meter can send blood sugar readings directly to providers, who can then offer timely guidance or treatment changes. The ability to track blood glucose without needing to manually log or report data provides an easier way for men to manage their condition, leading to better testing adherence.
- Obesity and Weight Management
Obesity is a significant risk factor for several chronic diseases and disproportionately affects men in middle and older age. Cellular weight scales make it easy for providers to track progress without requiring in-person weigh-ins, which some men may find uncomfortable or discouraging. This continuous tracking can be integrated with coaching and nutrition support to help men make sustainable changes.
- COPD and Respiratory Health
Men are also more likely than women to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Monitoring blood oxygen levels and respiration remotely with pulse oximeters can alert providers to dangerous drops in oxygen saturation, allowing for quicker diagnosis and treatment.
Benefits for Providers and Health Systems
Cellular RPM doesn’t just benefit the individual—it supports the broader healthcare ecosystem. By using cellular RPM, providers and health systems can help reduce emergency room visits, hospital stays and readmissions, and long-term complications, all of which lead to lower costs and better outcomes. This is especially critical as the industry continues shifting toward value-based care models.
Approximately 45% of the U.S. population has one or more chronic diseases, with minorities being 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely than whites to have these conditions. This highlights significant health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities, particularly affecting groups like African Americans and Hispanics.
The ease of deployment and scalability of cellular RPM makes it a powerful tool for public health initiatives focused on improving men’s health in minority populations in underserved communities. By partnering with employers, community health centers, and veterans' organizations, health systems can deploy these tools where they’re needed most.
Encouraging More Men to Engage in Their Health
One of the most powerful aspects of cellular RPM is its ability to transform how men think about healthcare. By removing the friction points that often prevent men from engaging with the healthcare system, cellular RPM helps normalize daily health monitoring in a way that feels convenient and manageable, making it a proactive, continuous process.
For providers, RPM programs focused on men’s health should also include targeted education, culturally sensitive communication, and engagement strategies tailored to male patients. With the right combination of technology and outreach, we can help men take ownership of their health and live longer, healthier lives.
Final Thoughts
Men’s health has long been an underserved area of focus in American medicine. With higher rates of chronic disease and their lack of making their health a priority, new technology should be used to close the gap. Cellular remote patient monitoring offers a practical, effective, and scalable way to improve outcomes for men, empowering them to take control of their health with minimal disruption to their daily lives.
As we look to the future of healthcare, expanding access to RPM tools for men should be a top priority for clinicians, health systems, and policymakers alike. The potential to save lives—and improve quality of life—is simply too great to ignore.
