People’s Health Trust welcomes the government’s commitment to tackling the men’s health crisis through England’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy with the launch of a Men’s Health Fund appeal. The fund will aim to raise £500k with the first £250k being directly matched by the Trust pound for pound.
The strategy and new fund are a vital step forward in addressing the stark inequalities that mean men in the most deprived areas die nearly 11 years earlier than those in wealthier communities and spend up to 20 years in poor health. As People’s Health Trust has said, these are not just statistics – they are our fathers, brothers, partners and sons, and they deserve better.
The strategy rightly recognises that improving men’s health requires action across multiple fronts. We particularly welcome the focus on:
- Addressing root causes and intervening early: Poor health and early death are driven by the social determinants of health such as secure housing, decent income, social connections and access to food. Without addressing these vital issues, we cannot improve life expectancy and support people to live more years in good health.
- Healthy living and working conditions: Employers play a vital role in supporting men’s health. Poor health impacts workforce resilience and business performance. Making health part of everyday working life – including designing services specifically for men – is good for employees and good for business. Our recent work on men’s health with businesses has shown that employers want to support the health of their workforce, but sustainable change in men’s health requires collaboration across all sectors.
- Social connection and mental health: Isolation and loneliness are major drivers of poor health among men. Our experience funding grassroots projects shows that community-led approaches – from peer support groups to creative programmes – can transform men’s lives.
Today is a momentous moment, as England receives its first ever men’s health strategy. Men are needlessly dying younger, and are living for longer with serious health conditions which affect their health and wellbeing. Today, People’s Health Trust is able to play its part by launching the Men’s Health Fund Appeal which will address some of the causes of poor physical and mental health, including debt, housing, work and social isolation. We believe that by working with corporate partners, other trusts and foundations and the public, we can create a fund which has a real impact of the health of men and older boys.
John Hume
Chief Executive, People's Health Trust
Through People’s Health Trust’s programmes and our work with our network of over 600 grassroots organisations, we see that change is possible when men are supported to build confidence, connect with others and take control of their health. We urge government, employers and communities to work together to deliver strategies that are evidence-based, designed with men in mind and rooted in lived experience.
The Trust’s new Men’s Health Fund will eventually support grassroots community organisations that are expert in working with men experiencing social and financial disadvantage, ensuring that they receive timely help. Find out how businesses, trusts and foundations, and individuals can contribute to our Fund here.
Men’s health is not just an individual issue – it’s everybody’s business. This strategy is a once in a generation opportunity that none of us can afford to miss.