Wes Streeting commits to unveiling men’s health strategy next year

The strategy will focus on preventing and addressing  the biggest health problems affecting men

Health secretary Wes Streeting has announced plans to introduce the UK’s first men’s health strategy at a Men’s Health Summit, held in partnership with Movember and hosted by Arsenal Football Club and the Premier League.

This strategy, which will be a key component of the government’s 10-Year Health Plan to fix the NHS, will be designed to address the biggest health problems affecting men, including cardiovascular disease, prostate and testicular cancer, mental health issues, and suicide prevention.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), a call for evidence will invite public feedback on “what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women.”

During the summit at Arsenal Football Club, Streeting met with campaigners from organisations like the UK Men’s Sheds Association, Prostate Cancer UK, and the African Advocacy Foundation, to discuss the obstacles men face in healthcare.

Streeting expressed particular concern over the rising rates of mental health issues and the shocking fact that suicide is “the biggest killer for men under the age of 50.”

He also highlighted the delayed diagnosis of preventable conditions such as heart disease and prostate cancer.

“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,” he said, promising that the government would publish a men’s health strategy to tackle these problems head-on.

The DHSC confirmed that the strategy will be unveiled next year, with the call for evidence opening soon.

In addition, men are encouraged to give their views on building an NHS fit for the future through the Change NHS online portal.

Michelle Terry, CEO of Movember, welcomed the announcement, calling it “a significant step forward in transforming the face of men’s health.”

Emphasising the importance of a men’s health strategy, she said: “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.”

On average, men die nearly four years earlier than women and are more likely to be affected by conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in England, and significantly more men die early from cardiovascular disease compared to women.

Furthermore, men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues and account for three of four suicides.