Last month the Government called for evidence to inform the development of a Men’s Health Strategy. It is not a formal consultation but seeks views from the public as well as professionals.
They are seeking views on health-related topics including education and behaviour, work and experience of health care.
The Men’s Health Strategy will form part the NHS reform.
Men are disproportionately affected by cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Suicide is the largest cause of death in men under the age of 50 and ¾ of completed suicides are men.
Men engage in unhealthy behaviours more often than women that may lead to a higher risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Unsurprisingly those who live in poor areas die earlier than expected.
The evidence wants to identify areas there can be improvement in support for healthier behaviours, improving outcomes for health conditions that affect men and improve access to health services.
The survey requests information from those who are aged 16 and over and live in England.
The evidence wants views from the public, as well as health and social care professionals, academics, employers and stakeholder organisations.
It closes at 11:59pm on 17 July 2025.
The first Men’s Health summit was held last year. It is hoped that recognising what works for different groups of men, focusing on key risk factors and providing evidenced based support will be impactful.
This is all good work and will lead to change.
Many things would improve health generally, tackling waiting times, a stronger focus and more investment in primary care, prioritise mental health and early diagnosis and prevention. As well as addressing health inequalities, poverty has a greater impact on male life expectancy. Workforce planning is paramount.
Preventions of disease makes sound financial sense, those who are practicing behaviours that may lead to chronic poor health will need education, advice and support to change those behaviours and engage in healthy activity. Investing in this now will save later.
There is a lot to do, such as many things are tailored towards men already, medication and devices tested on men and many things are designed by men for men, neglecting women. So, I ask, how is it that overall, men are less healthy and live fewer years?
Life expectancy at birth fell in 2020 to 2022 from 2017 to 2019. It was thought that this was because of the pandemic. In 2022 male life expectancy was 78.6 years. Generally, improvements in life expectancy have been small in the last decade and has now regressed back to 2010 to 2012 levels.
Although women live about 3 years longer than men, on average, they only have 0.6 years more in good health, so spend a larger proportion of their lives in poor health. Women are also more likely to live alone, which is a factor in poor health and mortality.
What can you do?
As a member of the public, you can fill in the survey, please tell them of your experience and any changes you would like to see.
Ask your local county council what measures they have in place for everyone, including men, for maintaining health, such as substance use help, support for education, access to open space and gyms.
Ask your local Integrated Care Board what their plans are for managing health services in your area. What are they planning for health education, disease prevention and management of chronic illness.
Lobby your MP, when you have the information about your local area, you can seek time with your MP, to ask how they are going to improve health in your constituency.
The reducing of poor health and prevention of certain conditions will greatly improve everyone’s wellbeing. It is something we should aim for.