Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled plans to launch a new Men’s Health Strategy aimed at addressing the key health challenges faced by men of all ages. The announcement was made at the Men’s Health Summit, a high-profile event hosted by Arsenal FC in partnership with Movember and the Premier League.
The strategy, which will form part of the Government’s wider 10-Year Health Plan, is set to focus on some of the most pressing health issues affecting men, including cardiovascular diseases, prostate and testicular cancers, and mental health concerns. With a particular emphasis on suicide prevention, the strategy seeks to tackle the underlying factors that contribute to poor health outcomes among men, who are more likely to die prematurely from preventable conditions than women.
Mr Streeting’s announcement comes at a time when men’s health is receiving increasing attention. In England, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, and statistics show that men die on average four years earlier than women. Men are also disproportionately affected by certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, and are less likely to seek help for mental health issues. Suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50, accounting for three-quarters of all suicides in this age group.
During the summit, Streeting engaged with a variety of health campaigners and experts, including representatives from Prostate Cancer UK, the UK Men’s Sheds Association, and the African Advocacy Foundation. These groups shared insights into the barriers currently faced by men seeking healthcare and outlined the steps that need to be taken to close the life expectancy gap between men and women.
Streeting highlighted the importance of tackling preventable deaths, stating: “It can be hard to be a young man in today’s society, particularly for boys from backgrounds like mine. 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.”
The Men’s Health Strategy will also focus on addressing health inequalities, with men in the most deprived areas of England expected to live almost 10 years less than those in wealthier regions. The strategy will seek to reduce these disparities and ensure that all men have access to the healthcare they need.
In addition to the strategy, Streeting has launched a call for evidence to gather views from the public on what more can be done to improve men’s health. The government is also encouraging men to share their thoughts on how to create a health service that is better equipped to meet their needs through the Change NHS online portal.
Michelle Terry, CEO of Movember, welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a significant step forward in transforming the face of men’s health.” She added, “When we improve men’s health, we know that the benefits can ripple through families, communities, societies and the economy.”
The full Men’s Health Strategy is expected to be unveiled next year, with the call for evidence launching in the coming months.