What do you do when your partner is not taking care of his or her health?

What do you do when your partner is not taking care of his or her health...at least not in a way that is up to your standards?

If I have a new symptom -- an ear ache, a twisted ankle, a mysterious rash - I will at least call my health care team to describe what's going on and ask for advice. I do know a lot about my own body, and about basic care for basic conditions -- but even so, I will seek medical opinions and consider them as additional data to be factored into my decision about how to take care of myself.

Richard is different. He likes to wait to see if the symptom will go away by itself, or if it will shape itself into some pattern that he can describe. He will consult a doctor when he believes his situation is serious enough. But that moment comes way too late by my measure. Although, I do have to admit that he is pretty healthy, and there have only been a couple of times when his delay had potentially harmful consequences.

This is a real source of tension for us. We have not figured out how to resolve it. I certainly can't make him do it my way, but neither can I sit quietly and watch him injure himself though inaction (imho).

Have you had a similar struggle? How do you handle this situation?