UK government commits to first men's health strategy
UK Health Secretary West Streeting has announced plans for a national strategy for men's health, tackling issues "affecting men of all ages that are costing lives."
The aim is to address diseases like heart disease and strokes, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, as well as focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, and is part of the government's 10-year plan to "fix the NHS."
The plans were announced at a men's health summit held in partnership with charity Movember, hosted by football team Arsenal and the Premier League, and a strategy document is due to be published in 2025.
"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," said Streeting at the event. "Preventable killers like heart disease and prostate cancer are being caught far too late," he added.
On average, men die nearly four years earlier than women and they are disproportionally affected by health conditions, including some cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, according to the government.
They are also much less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues and are more likely to die by their own hand, accounting for three out of four suicides.
A strategy for women's health in England was published in 2022 under the previous Conservative government, led at the time by Boris Johnson.
The government is now preparing a public consultation to seek views on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women. At the same time, men are also being invited to share their views on how to make the NHS "fit for the future" on the Change NHS website.
One aspect of the consultation is to look at the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes, including targeted approaches for those at higher risk, such as people with a family history, to see how it might be implemented.
At the moment, the UK does not have a national screening programme for prostate cancer, although men over 50 can ask their GP for a PSA test. PSA isn't offered routinely, as it is not considered to be a reliable screening tool.
Michelle Terry, chief executive of Movember, described the announcement as "a significant step forward" for men's health.
"When we improve men's health, we know that the benefits can ripple through families, communities, societies, and the economy," she added.
"This will transform the lives of men, but also their wives, mothers, sisters, partners, mates, neighbours, children, teachers, and doctors."
The initiative has been welcomed by the Local Government Association, which represents local authorities in England.
David Fothergill, who chairs the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said: "Innovative local initiatives led by councils are making strides, but national action is needed, which recognises men’s health as a national concern."
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
