Men's health - a con or a real concern? The case for a new global public health policy approach
1
Global Action on Men's Health, London, United Kingdom
2
College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Casuarina, Australia
3
Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
4
South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
5
Mandela Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1294
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Men’s health globally is a clear global public health challenge. Men have a lower life expectancy than women and higher mortality rates from cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and suicide. They are more likely to smoke and to drink alcohol excessively but less likely to access primary care effectively. Yet men are overlooked in global and national health policies. Global Action on Men’s Health’s research shows men’s needs are largely unacknowledged in the fields of cancer, mental health, sexual/reproductive health, and primary care. Just nine countries have national men’s health policies. Men’s and women’s health are frequently posited as binary choices. Where men’s health is addressed, individual lifestyle narratives often dominate, not systemic barriers and strengths-based solutions.
METHODS:
This organised session will be in the format of a moderated panel discussion. This will enable cross-regional exchange, applied policy discussion, and practical learning. Attendees will be able to ask the panellists questions and engage in debate. The issues covered will include: 1. The state of men's health and key gaps. 2. The role of policy in addressing men's health needs. 3. Case studies of initiatives to address men's health (gender-neutral HPV vaccination and workplace mental health). Results (expected learning outcomes): Participants will be able to: 1. Describe the current state of men’s health globally. 2. Explain why men’s health has been overlooked in health policy. 3. Identify policy and practice opportunities to improve outcomes and achieve gender equity in their own settings. 4. Apply insights from case-studies.
CONCLUSIONS:
The session will position men’s health as a legitimate and significant global public health issue within health policy debates and identify concrete, policy-relevant opportunities to improve gender-just outcomes across health systems, workplaces and community settings. Addressing men’s health is not a zero-sum exercise; it is a necessary component of equitable health systems.
Men’s health globally is a clear global public health challenge. Men have a lower life expectancy than women and higher mortality rates from cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and suicide. They are more likely to smoke and to drink alcohol excessively but less likely to access primary care effectively. Yet men are overlooked in global and national health policies. Global Action on Men’s Health’s research shows men’s needs are largely unacknowledged in the fields of cancer, mental health, sexual/reproductive health, and primary care. Just nine countries have national men’s health policies. Men’s and women’s health are frequently posited as binary choices. Where men’s health is addressed, individual lifestyle narratives often dominate, not systemic barriers and strengths-based solutions.
METHODS:
This organised session will be in the format of a moderated panel discussion. This will enable cross-regional exchange, applied policy discussion, and practical learning. Attendees will be able to ask the panellists questions and engage in debate. The issues covered will include: 1. The state of men's health and key gaps. 2. The role of policy in addressing men's health needs. 3. Case studies of initiatives to address men's health (gender-neutral HPV vaccination and workplace mental health). Results (expected learning outcomes): Participants will be able to: 1. Describe the current state of men’s health globally. 2. Explain why men’s health has been overlooked in health policy. 3. Identify policy and practice opportunities to improve outcomes and achieve gender equity in their own settings. 4. Apply insights from case-studies.
CONCLUSIONS:
The session will position men’s health as a legitimate and significant global public health issue within health policy debates and identify concrete, policy-relevant opportunities to improve gender-just outcomes across health systems, workplaces and community settings. Addressing men’s health is not a zero-sum exercise; it is a necessary component of equitable health systems.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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