The Government will introduce a men’s health strategy to tackle cardiovascular disease, prostate and testicular cancer and mental health, health secretary Wes Streeting has announced.
It will include a call for evidence on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women, Mr Streeting said at event at Arsenal Football Club.
On average, men die nearly four years earlier than women and are disproportionally affected by a range of health conditions including some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, the Government said.
Data shows men tend to seek help for their mental health less than women and they account for three of four suicides.
There are also significant health inequalities across the country, with those in the most deprived areas in England expected to live almost a decade less than those in the least deprived, Mr Streeting said.
It is understood that the strategy will be unveiled next year and the call for evidence will be launched soon.
As part of the announcement it was noted that the UK National Screening Committee is actively looking at all the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes including targeted approaches for those at higher risk.
‘It can be hard to be a young man in today’s society, particularly for boys from backgrounds like mine,’ Mr Streeting said.
‘We’re seeing mental ill-health on the rise, and the shocking fact that suicide is the biggest killer for men under the age of 50. Preventable killers like heart disease and prostate cancer are being caught far too late,’ he added.
He told campaigners at the event – a health summit as part of Movember – that it would not distract from the work being done on women’s health but it was important to address both.
A women’s health strategy was published in 2022 under the previous government.
‘Just as we are determined to end the injustices women face in healthcare, we won’t shy away from the need to focus on men’s health too.
‘This government will publish a men’s health strategy to tackle these problems head on.’
Michelle Terry, CEO of Movember, said: ‘We are delighted that the UK government has committed to a men’s health strategy.
‘When we improve men’s health, we know that the benefits can ripple through families, communities, societies and the economy. This will transform the lives of men, but also their wives, mothers, sisters, partners, mates, neighbours, children, teachers and doctors.
‘We stand ready to work with other leaders in men’s health and the Secretary of State to make the men’s health strategy a reality that brings real change to lives up and down the country.’
A version of this story was first published on our sister title Pulse.
