First men’s health strategy to focus on reducing inequalities

The first men’s health strategy has been unveiled by the Government and will focus on reducing inequalities and improving physical health.

The strategy includes pledges to invest £3m in community-based men’s health programmes, training for healthcare professionals and workplace health pilots.

Men diagnosed with prostate cancer that is ‘being actively monitored or treated’ will also be able to order and complete PSA blood tests at home or book an in-person test via the NHS App, from 2027.

A report last month suggested that introducing prostate cancer screening for high-risk men would help to reduce ‘entrenched’ health inequalities for Black men and those in areas of high deprivation. Meanwhile another study found that PSA-based population screening results in a greater reduction of deaths than previously thought.

In April, health secretary Wes Streeting said he was in favour of a prostate cancer screening programme for those at high risk of the disease.

Alongside PSA tests for men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the men’s health strategy also commits to:

Investing £3 million into community-based men’s health programmes, designed to reach those most at risk and least likely to engage with traditional services,
Men’s health training for healthcare professionals through new e-learning modules and resources,
Workplace health pilots with EDF Energy through the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Programme to support male workers in male-dominated industries,
Enhanced lung disease support for former miners, with increased investment in the Respiratory Pathways Transformation Fund in areas with significant former mining communities,
Funding research to help prevent, diagnose, treat and manage the major male killers and causes of unhealthy life years in men,
A £200,000 trial of new brief interventions to target the rise in cocaine and alcohol-related CVD deaths, particularly among older men.

There will also be a focus on suicide prevention, which includes a partnership with Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative with the Samaritans. This will aim to tackle the stigma around men’s mental health.

Football clubs will work with local NHS trusts to increase their knowledge and training on suicide prevention, and actively promote mental health and suicide prevention such as NHS talking therapies and Every Mind Matters.

The Government added that a stakeholder group would oversee the implementation of the strategy, and a one year report would be published to ‘ensure accountability’.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘For too long, men’s health has been overlooked. There has been a reluctance to accept that men suffer specific inequalities and hardships. The fact is that life can be really difficult for men in today’s society. Men are dying nearly four years earlier than women, and suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for men under 50.

‘This strategy marks a turning point – the first time we’re taking comprehensive, coordinated action to address the health challenges facing men and boys.’

He added: ‘We know men are less likely to come forward for healthcare. From partnering with the premier league to rolling out health support in the workplace – we’re meeting men where they are and giving them the support they need to live longer, healthier lives.’

Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: ‘This new strategy recognises that there is no one solution and sets out sensible and achievable goals that everyone involved in improving men’s health and wellbeing can work towards.’

He added that he was ‘pleased’ this strategy emphasises preventing avoidable illnesses and diseases.

‘At a local level, Directors of Public Health already fund a variety of projects tackling these issues – many of which are organised by the voluntary sector. For this strategy to be truly effective, the Government must build on the positive changes are already being made, not just in the short term, but for generations of boys and men to come.’

Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, added: ‘We’re pleased to see the Government prioritising improvement of men’s experience of prostate cancer care as part of the Men’s Health Strategy.

‘Vital changes like giving men more control over their health and providing them with personalised support is long overdue, and we’re committed to working with the Government and the NHS to turn these words into actions that have a life changing impact for men. We look forward to seeing the details on these proposed changes.

‘The earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat, so any men concerned can head to the Prostate Cancer UK’s online ‘Risk Checker’ to find out if they’re at risk of prostate cancer and what they can do about it.’