England Launches First Men’s Health Strategy

News - 3 December 2025

England has launched its first Men’s Health Strategy, aiming to improve physical and mental health for men and boys. Find out how Healthwatch has helped shape the plan and what it means for local communities.

On Wednesday 19th November 2025, the Government launched England’s first Men’s Health Strategy, aiming to tackle the health inequalities faced by men and boys and help them live longer, healthier lives.

Men are generally less likely to seek help for physical and mental health issues, and suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for men under 50. As part of the new strategy:

  • £3.6 million will fund suicide prevention projects supporting middle-aged men in high-risk communities. These projects will be co-designed with experts and people with lived experience to challenge stigma and improve access to help.
  • A new partnership with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative will bring mental health messaging to football matchdays and strengthen links with local NHS trusts.
  • Plans include improved prostate cancer care, with home PSA testing from 2027, plus £3 million for community men’s health programmes, workplace health pilots, and enhanced respiratory support for former miners.

Our Contribution

Healthwatch England played a key role in shaping the strategy through evidence gathering, engagement with the Department of Health and Social Care, and the publication of our Men’s Health Report. We are pleased that several of our recommendations are reflected in the final strategy, including:

  • Helping men navigate reliable vs harmful health information online, including social media and AI platforms
  • Tailoring health communications to specific groups and co-designing them with men and community partners
  • Creating accessible platforms where men can easily find trustworthy health information
  • Promoting the NHS Health Check
  • Increasing workplace health partnerships
  • Commissioning council and charity-led health interventions in communities with low GP engagement
  • Using data to monitor and improve uptake of health services across different groups of men

Together, we are helping to drive meaningful change for men and boys across England. We are looking for more men to join our Partnership Boards, take a look HERE and find more information about having your voice heard and contributing towards meaningful change.

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