The numbers are clear and they are uncomfortable. South African men die, on average, six to eight years younger than South African women (Statistics South Africa, 2023). Men present to primary care 33 percent less often than women across all age bands (Lancet Global Health, 2022). And in safety-critical industries (mining, transport, construction, manufacturing) men make up over 85 percent of the medical surveillance population (Department of Employment and Labour, 2024).
Three findings matter most for our partners this June.
0%
of men over 40 in industrial roles had undiagnosed hypertension at their annual medical
0%
of men in industrial roles meet criteria for moderate or severe stress
0%
of pre-symptomatic cardiovascular conditions reverse with lifestyle change alone
1. Cardiovascular disease is the single largest workplace health risk for men over 40.
The SA Heart and Stroke Foundation's 2024 review of workplace screening data showed that 41 percent of men over 40 in industrial roles had undiagnosed hypertension at the point of their annual medical. Half of these had readings indicating immediate clinical intervention. Workplace medical surveillance is, statistically, the most likely place a working man will have his blood pressure properly checked in any given year. That is a responsibility. It is also an opportunity.
2. Stress, anxiety and depression are now the leading cause of presenteeism in safety-critical roles.
Presenteeism (being at work while functionally impaired) costs more than absenteeism. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group's 2024 workforce data reported that 27 percent of men in industrial roles met criteria for moderate or severe stress, with under 5 percent having spoken to anyone about it. The reasons men give for silence are remarkably consistent: shame, fear of being seen as weak, fear of consequences at work. Workplaces that change one variable, normalising the conversation, see measurable shifts within 12 months.
3. Lifestyle conditions detected early are reversible.
The British Medical Journal's 2023 longitudinal review of workplace screening programmes confirmed that 70 percent of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions caught at the pre-symptomatic stage respond to lifestyle change alone, no medication required. The 30-month window between early detection and clinical disease is where workplaces have the greatest opportunity to act. Annual medicals are not a tick-box exercise. They are the intervention point.
The 30-month window between early detection and clinical disease is where workplaces have the greatest opportunity to act.
What employers can do in June.
First, treat the annual medical as care, not compliance. The language matters. A man who hears, "we want to keep you well" responds differently to one who hears, "we need you to comply."
Second, normalise the mental health check-in. One question, asked properly, by a line manager who has been briefed, opens the door. The question is not, "are you okay." The question is, "what is taking up the most space in your head right now."
Third, make it visible that leadership uses the same services. When the operations manager goes for his medical and says so, the team follows.
Fourth, equip the supervisors. A 30-minute brief on what burnout looks like (irritability, withdrawal, errors increasing, sleep changes) gives supervisors language they did not have before.
Tanya Nel, Director, People and Growth.
