Testosterone deficiency can manifest itself through symptoms such as lack of motivation, fatigue, decreased libido, or concentration problems—yet it often goes undetected or untreated. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can offer significant improvements in quality of life in these cases. However, access to this treatment is limited in many places: especially in rural areas, there is a shortage of specialized physicians who offer the necessary diagnostics and therapies. Our current analysis of our patients' postal codes shows just how relevant digital health services can be in these very regions.
What our analysis shows
For our analysis, we examined anonymized customer data, after obtaining consent for the analysis, using the BSSR classification of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development. The results are clear: While federal data indicates that only about 9% of the population lives in sparsely populated regions (<150 inhabitants per km²), 43.96% of our patients come from precisely these areas. In regions with medium population density (150–500 inhabitants per km²), the proportion in the total population is around 24%, while for Adon it is 40.66%. Conversely, about 67% of people in Germany live in densely populated areas (>500 inhabitants per km²), while only 15.38% of our patients reside there.
This significant discrepancy demonstrates that Adon Health reaches a disproportionately high number of men in structurally weak regions – precisely where access to urological and endocrinological care is particularly limited. This underscores not only the necessity of digital solutions but also Adon's potential to create genuine social value.
The problem: Men's health requires specialized knowledge – which is not available everywhere.
Many men report decreased energy, lack of motivation, or mental exhaustion – yet few immediately consider a possible testosterone deficiency. However, targeted diagnosis and therapy can often be crucial in these cases. Individually tailored testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) offers an evidence-based medical approach to significantly improve quality of life and long-term health. But such therapy requires medical evaluation and continuous monitoring – and this is precisely where a key challenge lies.
Especially in rural areas, there is often a shortage of doctors with the necessary experience and specialization in men's health. Access to thorough diagnostics, personal consultations, and structured follow-up is limited there. Furthermore, long travel distances, limited appointment availability, and an overall lower density of doctors exacerbate the situation. Studies, such as one by the Scientific Institute of Private Health Insurance (2023), show that medical under-provision is an increasing problem in structurally weak regions—particularly for specialist services that require continuous medical care.
Digital healthcare as a possible solution
Digital services and telemedicine can build crucial bridges here. Adon Health already offers initial low-threshold solutions that are in high demand, particularly in rural areas:
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Digital medical consultations with continuous support : Patients can communicate with licensed physicians via a secure online platform and receive continuous support throughout the entire treatment period.
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At-home testing kits : Medically validated diagnostic tests, such as our testosterone test kit, can be performed discreetly and conveniently at home. Further steps, such as follow-up checks or subsequent tests, are also possible regardless of location and are conducted via the same secure digital channels as the initial diagnosis.
These services enable flexible and location-independent access to medical care - an important complement to traditional on-site medicine, especially in structurally weak regions.
A first step
Of course, a single service cannot solve the structural problems of inadequate medical care. However, the data suggests that digital services are used where the need is greatest – especially in rural areas. They are an important first step. For such solutions to be effective in the long term, more easily accessible, high-quality, and digitally supported healthcare services are needed. The future of medical care – particularly in rural areas – will not be decided solely in local practices, but will increasingly be shaped digitally. We are pleased to be making a concrete contribution with Adon's digital TRT service – and helping many men achieve more energy, quality of life, and health stability. Learn more in our article: Testosterone Therapy: Everything You Need to Know
Conclusion
Our postcode analysis clearly shows that the demand for flexible, location-independent healthcare services is high – especially outside urban centers. Digital solutions are not a replacement, but an indispensable part of a modern, equitable, and future-proof medical infrastructure.
Bibliography
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development. (2022). Settlement structure types of districts – population and area by district and municipality type . https://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/forschung/raumbeobachtung/Raumabgrenzungen/deutschland/kreise/siedlungsstrukturelle-kreistypen/kreistypen.html
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development. (2020). Typologies of rural areas for policy and science in Germany . https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/document/97878/1/97878_1.pdf
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development. (2023). Spatial Types in Germany . https://www.bbsr.bund.de
Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. (2023). Germany Atlas: Accessibility of general practitioners by car . https://www.deutschlandatlas.bund.de
Physician positions. (2023). Nationwide comparison: Where are the most physicians located ? https://aerztestellen.aerzteblatt.de
WIP - Scientific Institute of Private Health Insurance. (2023). Regional distribution of physicians in Germany . https://www.wip-pkv.de
