As people spend more time at home, working, homeschooling and socialising online it is no surprise that internet usage across the country has increased. In fact, the first day of lockdown 2 caused one of the year’s biggest surges in internet use.
This is when online access to all types of services, including health and wellness services, is especially important.
Visits to the HealthHubble website are increasing. There is a 74% increase in traffic to the website from the first day of lockdown 3 in comparison to the week before. The increases shown are progressive and the data suggests that traffic will increase over the coming weeks.
The requirement for online health services is huge – and from what HealthHubble has witnessed men are particularly enjoying the online health service phenomenon.
The male use of the HealthHubble website shows they are spending twice as long on the virtual health services category as women. This category includes online GP, online physiotherapy and online counselling. Current figures show that online clinics are the most popular page among 25-34 males and the second most popular page among 35-44 males.
Dr. Jacqualine Seckley, the founder of HealthHubble, is fascinated by this usage: “Historically it is well reported that men are more reluctant than women to seek out health advise. I would infer from our information that this that men are willing to engage and seek information about health given the right platform. Virtual video consultations are facilitating access to healthcare for men. By promoting services with video consultation services we are helping to improve their access to help – we are helping narrow this gender gap. This is especially important when you consider that males have shorter life expectancy and health outcomes are worse for a number conditions including suicide and COVID. Willingness to seek information and help is obviously only a small part of the explanation, it is clearly complex multifactorial issues contribute to the gender health gap.”
The pandemic has forced many health services online, perhaps this will be a positive long term outcome for the health of men in the UK.
Please visit https://healthhubble.com/ to find out more.
