“Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes,” says Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. “Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50.”
His sentiments came as the UK government recently launched a 12-week call for evidence to inform England’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy.
Breaking news reports explain this initiative aims to address the life expectancy gap between men and women, focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions disproportionately affecting men; such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health issues. The strategy also seeks to improve men’s access to and engagement with health services.
Various statistics show that men live on average five years less than women, and are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. Also, they are more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases.
In spite of these frightening statistics, men are less likely to go to a doctor when experiencing symptoms than women are. In fact, they are half as likely to seek medical attention.
A Plan For Change
The Men’s Health Strategy was first announced during the inaugural Men’s Health Summit in November 2024, held in partnership with Movember and co-hosted by Arsenal and the Premier League. The strategy is part of the government’s broader ‘Plan for Change,’ which aims to rebuild the NHS and deliver better care for everyone.
“Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these issues head on through a men’s health strategy, and today’s call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, … doesn’t, and how we can design,” says Streeting.
“Too many men are dying too young,” says Amy O’Connor, Global Lead for Policy and Advocacy at Movember, “ The men’s health strategy is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in positive change for men and their loved ones. Share your solutions, whether it’s more community support groups, improved education, or enhancing clinical training, to create a lasting impact on the future of men’s health.”
As part of this call for ‘evidence’, the Department of Health and Social Care is seeking input from the general public (individuals aged 16 and over), health and social care professionals, academics and researchers and employers and stakeholder organisations.
It is hoped that information gathered will be instrumental in addressing areas of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and health service engagement.
The call for evidence opened on 24 April and will end on 17 July this year. Submissions can be made through the Department of Health and Social Care’s website.
Says Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans: “Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50, so it’s critical that suicide prevention is front and centre of this strategy. With men making up 75% of all suicides, this strategy is a real opportunity to prevent thousands of deaths.”