At least, that's the impression given by numerous surveys and statistics from throughout the Western World. In the US, UK and Australia, men on average visit the doctor far less often than women. And when they do go, it's only when things are serious, or after much prompting from the women in their lives.

A New York Times study revealed that men make up only 40% of all visits to physicians. A telephone survey conducted by CNN and Men's Health found that only 60% of men had had a health exam in the last year. And a recent survey by a UK cancer research institute found that 48% of men would put off going to the doctor if they developed warning signs of cancer.

This reluctance of men to see medical specialists has governments worried. They see a health crisis looming as more and more men avoid treatment and then end up with serious problems, meaning more pressure on already strained public health systems. Prevention is always far more cost effective than cure.

And they have good reason to be worried. According to a range of measures, men's health is not as good as it could be. These include:

- Men's life expectancy is lower than women's. On average, men in Western countries live 8 years less than women.

- Men are more likely to develop coronary heart disease, the biggest killer of men under 75. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart attack, and men are more likely to be obese than women - for example, around 50% of Australian men are obese compared to one third of Australian women. Men are also more likely to die of stroke. Skin cancer is also an issue, as men are less likely to have suspicious moles checked out.

- Men take more risks. This means they're more likely to be involved in car accidents, and to undertake risky behaviour such as drug taking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and smoking.

- Men in manual jobs are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

- Men also suffer more from mental illness, and significantly more men than women commit suicide.

In the past few years researchers have worked hard to find exactly why it is that men won't to the doctor. Most are in agreement that perceptions of masculinity are at least partly to blame. Psychologists say that men are brought up to think they must be strong and not acknowledge pain. To some men, seeing a doctor may feel like a suggestion of weakness. Society says that men need to be strong, and tough things out. Admitting to being sick may undermine that strength.

This fear of being "unmanly" crosses over into the area of sexual health as well. Dennis Kelly, founder of the UK-based Men's Clinic, says men often feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about seeking help when it comes to sex.

"We have the stereotype that men are born knowing everything about sex," Kelly said. "To have something wrong can really be a blow to their sexuality."

Kelly says that social conditioning is also a factor. Women are used to seeing doctors for pap smears, contraception and other sexual and reproductive issues. For women, it can be seen as a matter of "maintenance" rather than sickness. Men, however, do not experience the same level of attention when it comes to sexual health, and this can lead to problems.

Fear is also an issue. Some men may be worried about hearing bad news, and hope that the problem will resolve itself without intervention.

Young men in particular may also see visiting the doctor purely as a reactionary measure rather than a preventative one. In the full bloom of health, it may be seen as unnecessary to have yearly checks on blood pressure or blood sugar. It's only as men reach their forties, and begin to experience the effects of age, both on themselves and their parents, that men start to think seriously about their health.

Moves are now being made to address the issue. A number of specialised "men only" health centres exist to cater to men's needs. The Male Health Center in Dallas, Texas, is operated by a urologist who aims to take a holistic approach to men's health.

"Men need an Ob/Gyn of their own," says the center's website. "At the Male Health Center, we provide treatment for all areas of male health. Our programs include impotence, prostate disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, vasectomy, cancer screening and wellness."

The center also works with employers to better educate men about the importance of self screening for testicular cancer and other preventative measures.

Lobby groups are also urging governments to run awareness campaigns and contribute more funding towards men's health. A British example is The Men's Health Forum, set up in 1994 with the aim of developing services to meet men's needs and encouraging men to change their risk-taking behaviours. The group runs a website providing medical information, and conducts events such as men's health week.

While the group advocates better funding for men, they say it should not occur at the expense of women's health resources.

In the past, feminists have argued that men need to change the way the view themselves in order for women to achieve equality. Now it seems that adjusting notions of masculinity is also vital to ensuring men are much healthier and happier in the future.