Earlier this year, the Government launched a call for evidence to inform the first ever Men’s Health Strategy for England. As part of wider NHS reforms, this strategy aims to improve men’s health by reducing inequalities and focusing on prevention. The strategy marks a new approach, with the government noting “prevention will always be better (and cheaper) than cure”, echoing our motto at Health Action Research Group.

Health inequalities are the unfair and often avoidable differences in health outcomes across society. For men, some differences are stark:

• Men die nearly four years earlier than women on average in the UK[i].
• Men are more likely to develop and die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, cancers and liver disease[ii].
• Three in four deaths by suicide are by men[iii], with suicide the leading cause of death for men under 50[iv].

These inequalities don’t affect all men equally, with factors such as location, occupation, income and education playing a part. In England’s most deprived areas, male life expectancy is almost 10 years shorter than in the least deprived, and the gap in healthy life expectancy is nearly 20 years[v]. Men in deprived areas are also much more likely to develop chronic diseases earlier, linking directly to social factors.

Yet, these outcomes are not inevitable. Nearly two in five male deaths are considered premature and preventable through earlier support, healthier behaviours and easier access to health care[vi].

Key areas of inequality

1. Physical health

Men are twice as likely as women to die prematurely from heart disease[vii]. While biology plays a role (men have lower levels of protective oestrogen) lifestyle is a significant factor.  Men are more likely to smoke[viii], drink excessively,  misuse substances[ix], and be obese[x]. These behaviours increase risks not only for cardiovascular disease, but cancer and dementia too. Men face a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer, with prostate and lung cancers especially prominent. In England, 67% of men in England are overweight or obese, compared with 61% of women.

2. Mental health

Men’s mental health is also a particular concern. Men account for three quarters of suicides in the UK, with relationship breakdowns and family court processes shown to heighten risk. One longitudinal study of 29 men who had separated from their partners, found that problems accessing their children, and family court-related issues, were correlated strongly with persistent psychological distress[xi].

Despite such risks, men are less likely to engage with healthcare services. Over 40% of UK men report only visiting a doctor when convinced they have a serious illness[xii], meaning treatable conditions often go undetected.

Why do these inequalities exist?

Several interlocking factors drive men’s health inequalities:

• Some evidence suggests poverty, unemployment and low education attainment all result in poorer health outcomes[xiii]. Men living in high deprivation experience higher rates of risk-taking behaviours and lower engagement level with health services[xiv]. A 2020 review of 26 OECD countries found adults with higher educational attainment “have better health and [longer] lifespans compared to their less-educated peers”[xv]. Yet in the UK, fewer young men progress to university, compared with young women (40% vs 53% in 2023/24)[xvi].
• Social norms and cultural expectations and attitudes around masculinity often discourage help-seeking, mischaracterising it as weakness. This reduces the likelihood, especially those facing relationship breakdown or loneliness, to reach out for mental health support. Stoicism can reduce the likelihood of men seeking help for physical conditions, vital when catching diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease early. One US survey found men avoided seeking medical attention for as long as possible, partly because they saw it as a sign of weakness[xvii].
• Trust in the health system also influences the likelihood of seeking support and engaging with services. For some, historical disparities can create lasting mistrust in medical establishments. Research shows African Caribbean men sometimes avoid NHS hospitals due to perceived cultural disconnects with healthcare professionals[xviii].
• Men experiencing isolation, particularly after family breakdown, are at higher risk of distress and suicide.

Addressing inequalities

Reducing men’s health inequalities could deliver major benefits for individuals, society and the NHS. Several positive initiatives to address inequalities already exist, including:

• Men’s support groups such as Men’s Sheds, walking groups and Football Fans in Training aim to break down stigmas, reduce loneliness and promote healthier behaviours. Evidence shows such groups can improve mental and physical health[xix]. Approaches for men, led by men, focusing on things seen as important by men, seem to have a better chance of success.  
• High-profile campaigns such as Movember and Campaign Against Living Miserably aim to change attitudes, raise awareness and encourage help seeking for physical and mental health issues. Studies show these campaigns can increase mental health knowledge, reduce stigma and higher use of support services[xx]. One review found that media-based campaigns in particular can positively impact male help-seeking when addressing mental health or depression[xxi]. 
• Targeted outreach for certain demographic groups combining health checks and mentoring and offering mental health support. Evidence shows outreach can increase access and screening by bringing services directly to those that might otherwise not engage with traditional services[xxii].

Recommendations and calls to action

The Men’s Health Strategy presents a major opportunity for change. Many of the leading causes of male ill health, cardiovascular disease, cancers and mental health issues, are preventable. Progress requires not only a policy shift but a change in societal attitudes and cultural norms:

• Research to address the educational gap. UK boys consistently achieve lower educational outcomes than girls[xxiii]. Given the strong link between education and long-term health, policies to raise male educational attainment should be a health priority.
• Research risk-taking behaviour through commissioning studies into the social, psychological and economic drivers of male risk-taking to guide evidence-based prevention strategies. Evidence already links traditional masculinity norms (stoicism, toughness, self-reliance), with poorer mental health and reluctance to seek support[xxiv].
• Shift societal narratives around masculinity through continued public campaigns, schools and media, to challenge harmful stereotypes. This includes promoting seeking help, openness and interpersonal relationships such as friendship to tackle loneliness.
• Continue investing in community outreach, including bringing services directly to communities such as drop-in clinics, health checks and outreach tailored to higher risk and seldom-heard groups. Evidence[xxv] suggests tailored community outreach can increase access and screening amongst men. Employee Assistance Programmes demonstrate evidence of success, but they can be under-utilised by males[xxvi].
• Continue to build the evidence base. A longitudinal male health study would provide vital data to support government policy and services.

Men’s health inequalities are significant, but much of the burden is preventable. Tackling them will require government action, community initiatives and cultural change. By focussing on prevention and support, we can not only improve men’s health but ease pressure on the NHS and build a fairer and healthier society. In the words of Health Action Research Group, prevention is better than cure!

Lindsey Stack

[i] Office for National Statistics (2024) National life tables – life expectancy in England and Wales [online]. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/bulletins/nationallifetablesunitedkingdom/2021to2023

[ii] NDRS (2024) Cancer incidence and mortality. Available at: https://nhsd-ndrs.shinyapps.io/incidence_and_mortality/

[iii] Office for National Statistics (2024) Suicides in England Wales [online]. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2023

[iv] Office for National Statistics (2023) Deaths registered in England and Wales [online]. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/deathsregisteredinenglandandwalesseriesdrreferencetables

[v] Office for National Statistics (2022) Health state life expectancies by national deprivation deciles, England: 2018 to 2020 [online]. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthinequalities/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesbyindexofmultipledeprivationimd/2018to2020

[vi] Movember Institute of Men’s health (2024) The Real Face of Men’s Health [online]. Available at: https://cdn.movember.com/uploads/files/Media%20Room/UK/The%20Real%20Face%20of%20Mens%20Health%20Report%20-%20Movember%20UK.pdf

[vii] British Heart Foundation (2025) Bridging Hearts: Addressing inequalities in cardiovascular health and care [online]. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/what-we-do/policy-and-public-affairs/bridging-hearts-british-heart-foundation.pdf?rev=2d366ec8dec34e41bb471f829a690719

[viii] Department of Health & Social Care (2023) Smoking profile [online]. Available at: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/tobacco-control/data#page/7/gid/1938132885/pat/159/par/K02000001/ati/15/are/E92000001/iid/92443/age/168/sex/4/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1/page-options/ine-pt-1_ine-ct-4_ine-yo-1:2023:-1:-1

[ix] NHS Digital (2019) Statistics on Drug Misuse, England [online]. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-drug-misuse/2019/part-3-drug-use-among-adults

[x] NHS Digital (2022) Health Survey for England [online]. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2022-part-2

[xi] Barry, J.A. and Liddon, L. (2020). Child contact problems and family court issues are related to chronic mental health problems for men following family breakdown. Psychreg Journal of Psychology 4(3). [online] Available at: https://www.pjp.psychreg.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/barry-liddon-57-66.pdf

[xii] Wang, Y. et al., (2013). Do men consult less than women? An analysis of routinely collected UK general practice data. BMJ Open 3(8) https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003320  

[xiii] The Centre for Social Justice (2025) Lost Boys: State of the Nation [online]. Available at: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CSJ-The_Lost_Boys.pdf

[xiv] Marmot, M. et al. (2020) Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On [online] Available at: https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/reports/health-equity-in-england-the-marmot-review-10-years-on-0

[xv] Raghupathi, V. and Raghupathi, W. (2020). The Influence of Education on health: an Empirical Assessment of OECD Countries for the Period 1995–2015. Archives of Public Health, [online] 78(1), pp.1–18. Available at: https://archpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13690-020-00402-5.

[xvi] Department for Education. (2023). Widening participation in higher education, Academic year 2023/24. [online] Available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/widening-participation-in-higher-education/2023-24#releaseHeadlines-tables

[xvii] Cleveland Clinic (2019) Cleveland Clinic survey: Men will do almost anything to avoid going to the doctor [online]. Available at: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/09/04/cleveland-clinic-survey-men-will-do-almost-anything-to-avoid-going-to-thedoctor

[xviii] Mulugeta, B. et al., (2017). Cancer through black eyes – the views of UK based black men towards cancer: a constructivist grounded theory. European Journal of Oncology Nursing  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.04.005

[xix] Wyke, S., Hunt, K., Gray, C.M., Fenwick, E., Bunn, C., Donnan, P.T., Rauchhaus, P., Mutrie, N., Anderson, A.S., Boyer, N., Brady, A., Grieve, E., White, A., Ferrell, C., Hindle, E. and Treweek, S. (2015). Football Fans in Training (FFIT): a randomised controlled trial of a gender-sensitised weight loss and healthy living programme for men – end of study report. [online] PubMed. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK273998/

[xx] Oliffe, JL et al., (2022) Mapping Men’s Mental Health Help-Seeking After an Intimate Partner Relationship Break-Up. Qualitative Health Research 25,32(10): 1464-1476. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9411703/  

[xxi] Duthie, G et al., (2024) The impact of media-based mental health campaigns on male help-seeking: a systematic review. Health Promotion International. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11369358/#s20

[xxii] British Heart Foundation (2025) Bridging Hearts: Addressing inequalities in cardiovascular health and care [online]. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/what-we-do/policy-and-public-affairs/bridging-hearts-british-heart-foundation.pdf?rev=2d366ec8dec34e41bb471f829a690719

[xxiii] Carroll, M. (2024) Sex gaps in education in England. Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Available at: https://www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/Images/698454-sex-gaps-in-education-in-england.pdf?__hstc=123552596.6cb1b9bd3069f14176aa24f0e21a8e42.1758018264394.1758018264394.1758018264394.1&__hssc=123552596.1.1758018264394&__hsfp=631938017

[xxiv] Mokhwelepa, L.W. and Sumbane, G.O. (2025). Men’s Mental Health Matters: The Impact of Traditional Masculinity Norms on Men’s Willingness to Seek Mental Health Support; a Systematic Review of Literature. American Journal of Men’s Health, 19(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883251321670.

[xxv] Leone, J.E., Rovito, M.J., Gray, K.A. and Mallo, R. (2021). Practical Strategies for Improving Men’s Health: Maximizing the Patient-Provider Encounter. International Journal of Mens Social and Community Health, 4(1), pp.e1–e16. doi: https://doi.org/10.22374/ijmsch.v4i1.17.

[xxvi] Matthews, L.R., Gerald, J. and Jessup, G.M. (2021). Exploring men’s use of mental health support offered by an Australian Employee Assistance Program (EAP): perspectives from a focus-group study with males working in blue- and white-collar industries. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, [online] 15(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-021-00489-5.