Men aren't paying enough attention to their personal health care and they're particularly tight lipped when it comes to mental health, according to the newly released Aflac Men's Health Survey.

The study of 1,000 U.S. men reveals fewer than half, 47 percent, had an annual checkup or wellness visit either virtually or in person in the past 12 months.

Additionally, just 37 percent had a routine dental exam and only 29 percent had a routine eye exam in the past year.

At the same time, 1 in 4 men admitted they've never talked to anybody about their mental health and well-being despite 72 percent of respondents stating they experienced some type of mental or behavior health concern in the past 12 months alone.

"Unfortunately, even now as pandemic conditions have eased, this study shows that many men are still avoiding health care and need a wake-up call about their health priorities," said Aflac Senior Vice President of Distribution Expansion and Consumer Markets Jeramy Tipton.

"Many men press snooze on important opportunities to proactively screen for and avert illnesses, which could help prevent more serious and costly health issues in the future."

According to respondents, the majority of men are experiencing mental or behavioral health concerns, yet many sidestep conversations about these important health issues.

Anxiety, trouble sleeping and depression were most commonly reported in the study, and 49 percent of men said these concerns affect their productivity at home or work.

Roughly two out of five men, 38 percent, postponed or avoided going to a doctor or filling a prescription because of medical costs — even higher among millennials, 49 percent.

A full 79 percent of Gen Z and millennial men reported having a mental or behavioral health concern within the past year, compared to 57 percent and 68 percent among Gen X and baby boomers.

Gen Z and millennials were also more likely to report that mental health affected their productivity at home and work.

Access to quality health care is also a concern. Millennials were more likely to state they believe this is often determined by one's race, 38 percent compared to roughly 28 percent among other age groups.

Men also called out the women in their life, wife or girlfriend, and mother as the most notable influences motivating them to see a doctor besides themselves.

The Men's Health Study was conducted online in May 2022 by Kantar Profiles on behalf of Aflac and included a nationally representative sample of 1,001 men ages 18-65.

Definitions of the age generations used in the survey: Gen Z — 18 to 24 years; millennials — 25 to 40 years; Gen X — 41 to 56 years; baby boomers — 57 to 65 years.

Greer, S.C.-based Regional Management Corp. (NYSE: RM), a diversified consumer finance company, said it has expanded its operations to Indiana, its 15th U.S. state, with the opening of its first branch in Merrillville.

The opening further expands Regional Management’s de novo footprint within the Midwestern U.S., company officials said.

Said Robert W. Beck, president and chief executive officer of Regional Management Corp.:

“Our omni-channel operating model will enable consumers throughout Indiana to access our premier lending solutions at their convenience, while allowing us to reach additional high-quality customers in new markets.

"Our geographic expansion strategy continues to position us well to grow our market share in a controlled manner and to continue delivering sustainable long-term value to our shareholders.”

Regional Management provides installment loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies, and other lenders.

Most of its loan products are secured, and each is structured on a fixed-rate, fixed-term basis with fully amortizing equal monthly installment payments, repayable at any time without penalty.

Regional Management sources loans through its multiple channel platform, which includes branches, centrally managed direct mail campaigns, digital partners, retailers, and its consumer website.

A 72-unit apartment community is taking shape in Mauldin, as a dedicated group of developers, community leaders and businesses make steady progress on another quality, low-income community to house Upstate residents in need of affordable options.

Parkside at Butler, located off exit 34 in Mauldin, will be the latest NHE Development project to open when completed in early Spring of 2023. 

The new community, made possible with Low-Income Housing Tax Credit support, will consist of three garden-style apartment buildings containing 1-, 2-, and 3- bedrooms apartments along with an onsite leasing office.

When opened, the community will be home to Upstate residents earning 30 percent, 50 percent, or 60 percent of the area median income in Greenville County.

Construction on Parkside at Butler began in December 2021 with site preparations, and all building foundations have been laid and buildings are in the framing stage.

Leasing should begin for new residents in late 2022, with the first residents moving into units early in 2023.

A recent strategic plan headed by the Greenville Housing Fund and Greenville County Redevelopment Authority identified the need for as many as 10,000 additional rent or income-restricted units, and the preservation of another 3,000 units of existing affordable housing over the next decade in Greenville County alone.

Partners in the Parkside at Butler community include Upstate development group NHE, Inc. and SCG Development Partners, which are building and financing the project using LIHTC credits administered by the SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority.

Federal and state tax credits were syndicated by Stratford Capital Group and Monarch Private Capital.

Other key partners include TD Bank, Creative Builders and Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.

Dr. Tracy Jessup To Join Anderson University as VP for Christian Life, Senior Minister

Tracy C. Jessup, Ph.D., will join Anderson University this summer as vice president for Christian Life and senior minister to the university.

In this role, he will also be a member of the president's Senior Leadership Team. He will hold the academic rank of associate professor of Christian Ministry and Worship Leadership at Anderson.

Jessup comes to Anderson from Gardner-Webb University, a Baptist institution of 3,600 students in Boiling Springs, N.C.

He has served there a total of 30 years which qualified him for early retirement. He most recently served Gardner-Webb as vice president for Christian Life and Service and senior minister to the university for 12 years.

He also is interim pastor of Florence Baptist Church in Forest City, N.C. Prior to his present role at Gardner-Webb, he served there as assistant to the president, and director of admissions for the School of Divinity.

He also has been an assistant professor of religion, having taught adjunctively in the department of religious studies, the department of music, and the School of Divinity. 

 "With 26 years at the helm of campus ministries at Gardner-Webb, Dr. Jessup has impeccable academic credentials in educational leadership in higher education and brings extraordinary experience in leading collegiate campus ministry programs," Anderson University President Dr. Evans Whitaker said in making the announcement.

"We feel incredibly blessed that Dr. Jessup has agreed to join our team."

At Anderson, Jessup will be the senior campus minister to the university family of 4,200 students, and more than 900 faculty and staff.

He will provide executive leadership for the University's Christian Life division of campus ministries which includes Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM), Women’s Ministries and Missions, and oversees the integration into campus life of sponsored campus ministries such as Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Campus Crusades (Cru).

He will work collaboratively with Rev. Mayson Easterling, vice president for Church Engagement, in representing the university to constituent churches.

In addition, he will oversee the Journey Program, the university's weekly chapel activities and be one of the university's liaisons with Clayton King Ministries, an evangelical ministry organization the university considers one its primary partners in ministry.

A native of Mount Airy, N.C., Jessup received the Ph.D. in 2008 from the University of Nebraska.

He also received the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Samford University's Beeson Divinity School in 1994 where he was president of the Student Government Association and was recognized with the Distinguished Student Award.

He also received his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in Music Education from Gardner-Webb University in 1989.

At Gardner-Webb, he was the recipient of the President's Award for Community Engagement in 2009.

Jessup succeeds Dr. Wesley Brashier, who served Anderson for five years and stepped away from the job last year to begin a career in real estate development and stay close to Anderson as a member of its Board of Visitors.

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