Government unveils England’s first ever Men’s Health Strategy
The government launches plan to tackle physical and mental health challenges faced by men and boys, and reduce inequalities.
Landmark strategy published on International Men’s Day aims to tackle men’s mental health challenges, improve physical health and reduce inequalities so men and boys get on and live longer, healthier lives.
As part of the strategy, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will team up on the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative and smash the stigma around mental health.
Men with prostate cancer will also benefit from improved care through the strategy, alongside £3.6 million investment in suicide prevention projects targeting middle-aged men. Men and boys across England will benefit from tailored healthcare and support as the government launches its first Men’s Health Strategy.
Strategy Launch and Goals
Launched on International Men’s Day, the plan sets out comprehensive action to tackle the physical and mental health challenges men and boys face every day.
Men can be less likely to seek help and more likely to suffer in silence. This, combined with a higher propensity to smoke, drink, gamble and use drugs, means men’s health is suffering, having a significant impact on families, workplaces and communities. This strategy will help give men and boys to get on and live longer, healthier lives.
Suicide is one of the biggest killers of men under 50 and three-quarters of all suicides are men. The government is investing £3.6 million over the next 3 years in suicide prevention projects for middle-aged men in local communities across areas of England where men are at most risk, including some of the most deprived areas. This comes on top of expanding mental health teams in schools to ensure an additional 900,000 pupils have access to support by April 2026.
The projects will break down barriers middle-aged men face in seeking support, such as stigma and lack of awareness. Projects will be co-designed with experts and men with lived experience of mental health crises and suicidal thoughts.
The focus on suicide prevention includes a partnership on the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative with the Samaritans, which looks to help tackle the stigma around men’s mental health and embed health messaging into the matchday experience.
Statements from Officials
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“For too long, men’s health has been overlooked. Men are dying nearly 4 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, co-ordinated action to address the health challenges facing men and boys. Teaming up with the Premier League will harness the power of football to break down barriers and reach millions of men who might never walk through a GP’s door. 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.”
Together Against Suicide was launched by the Premier League in September 2025 and provides matchday support for fans in stadiums, initially through 11 pilot clubs, as well as providing an online hub of information for fans and followers watching from home.
This partnership will enhance support by ensuring clubs work closely with local NHS trusts, increasing knowledge and training on suicide prevention, and promoting existing mental health and suicide prevention support such as NHS Talking Therapies and Every Mind Matters.
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, said:
“Football has the power to break down stigma and connect fans with support. Through the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative, we are working with clubs and partners to reduce the stigma around suicide and provide ongoing support. Whether it’s speaking to family and friends, experts on a matchday, or contacting the Samaritans’ free support line, fans should know help is always within reach.”
Healthcare Access and Prostate Cancer Support
Men with prostate cancer will benefit from improved care through the strategy, including development of home prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for those being monitored. From 2027, subject to clinical approval, men diagnosed with prostate cancer that is actively monitored or treated will be able to order and complete PSA blood tests at home, or book an in-person blood test locally through the NHS App.
Other commitments include:
- Investing £3 million into community-based men’s health programmes
- 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
- Enhanced lung disease support for former miners, with increased investment in the Respiratory Pathways Transformation Fund
- Funding research to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage major male killers and causes of unhealthy life years in men
- A £200,000 trial of new brief interventions to target cocaine and alcohol-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths
The Men’s Health Strategy supports the government’s ambition to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions while increasing it for everyone. It tackles unhealthy behaviours, loneliness, social isolation, and harmful societal norms, focusing on workplaces and sports clubs to drive change.
Statements from Organisations and Experts
Michelle Terry, Chief Executive Officer, Movember, said:
“Today marks a historic day for men’s health in the UK. We now need rapid progress and delivery of the action plan to ensure this strategy creates real, measurable change.”
Julie Bentley, Chief Executive Officer, Samaritans, said:
“Three-quarters of suicides are by men, so the time for action is now. Suicide isn’t inevitable but preventing it takes teamwork and Samaritans’ Together Against Suicide initiative with the Premier League is a powerful partnership aimed at reaching men where they are.”
Chiara De Biase, Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
“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 personalised support is long overdue.”
The strategy lays the foundation to create a society where men and boys are supported to live longer, healthier lives, stigma is replaced by understanding, and every man knows that his health matters.
Stakeholder Involvement
A stakeholder group will oversee implementation of the strategy, with the government publishing a one-year report to ensure accountability.
Professor Green (Stephen Manderson), musician and Movember ambassador, highlighted the importance of government collaboration with experts to tackle male suicide.
Lord Foster of Bath, Chair of Action on Gambling, said the strategy recognises gambling as a significant risk.
Greg Fell, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, welcomed the focus on preventable illnesses and wellbeing improvements.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at British Heart Foundation, emphasised tackling cardiovascular disease and supporting men in local communities.
Mark Brooks OBE, Director of Policy, Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys, noted the strategy’s focus on research and policy for men’s health.
James Grimes, Director of Chapter One, Gambling with Lives, praised recognition of gambling-related health harms.
Peter Baker, Chief Executive, Global Action on Men’s Health, highlighted England’s leadership in national men’s health strategies.
Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, noted the importance of tailored interventions for men.
Dr John Chisholm CBE, Chair of the Men’s Health Forum, welcomed the publication and commitment to gendered healthcare approaches.
Caroline Ellis, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Men’s Sheds Association, praised recognition of community-based, peer-led spaces in supporting men’s health.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), stressed targeting research to health needs causing the greatest burden on men.
Chris Kitchen, General Secretary to the National Union of Mineworkers, welcomed the extra support for mineworkers with respiratory conditions.