Men’s Health Strategy to be developed by Government

The Government has committed to develop and publish a Men’s Health Strategy focused on heart disease, strokes, prostate cancer and testicular, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Since 2022 there has been an Women’s Health Strategy for England, but there is no equivalent for the men.

Wes Streeting, the Health and Social Care Secretary, pledged to correct this issue at a Men’s Health “summit” last week. The event was held in conjunction with Movember as well as Premier League.

Streeting’s strategy will look at how to prevent the most serious health issues that men face, regardless of age.

This includes cardiovascular disease, testicular and prostate cancers, mental health, and suicide prevention. He added that it will be a major part of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan in order to ‘fix the NHS’.

The call for evidence seeks to gather views on what works and what needs to be improved to reduce the gap in life expectancy between men and woman.

Streeting stated: “We are committed to ending the injustices that women experience in the healthcare system, and we will not shy away from focusing on men’s issues either. This government will release a men’s healthcare strategy to address these issues.

The 10-Year Plan for Health is a great way to get men involved in the discussion.

The UK National Screening Committee actively examines all evidence regarding prostate cancer screening programs, including targeted approaches to those with higher risks such as people who have a family history. Streeting said that the committee would also look at what age is appropriate for any screening program and ensure it was evidence-based.

Michelle Terry, CEO at Movember said: “When men are healthier, the benefits will ripple throughout families, communities, society and the economy.” It will not only transform the lives and health of men but also those of their wives, mothers sisters, partners, friends, neighbours, teachers, doctors, and children.