The strategy will consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest health problems affecting men of all ages, which could include cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, as well as mental health and suicide prevention. It will form a key part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to fix the NHS.
A call for evidence on the strategy will seek views on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women.
‘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,’ said Mr Streeting.
‘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. This government will publish a men’s health strategy to tackle these problems head on.’
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in England; significantly more men die early from cardiovascular disease compared to women. On average, men die nearly 4 years earlier than women and are disproportionally affected by a number of health conditions, including some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Men tend to seek help for their mental health less than women. They are also more likely to die by suicide, with men accounting for 3 of 4 suicides. There are also significant health inequalities across the country, with those in the most deprived areas in England expected to live almost 10 years less than those in the least deprived.
‘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,’ said Michelle Terry, CEO of Movember.
‘We stand ready to work with other leaders in men’s health and the Secretary of State to make the men’s health strategy a reality that brings real change to lives up and down the country.’