England’s men facing silent health crisis, councils warn

Local councils are calling for the creation of a national men’s health strategy after warning men in England are facing a “silent health crisis”.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged the Government to act to ensure the issue is “recognised as a national concern”.

A report by the body – Men’s health: The lives of men in our communities – claims men in deprived areas live up to 10 years less than counterparts in wealthy areas, with smoking and excessive alcohol consumption contributing factors to the gap.

David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said: “Men in England are facing a silent health crisis, dying nearly four years earlier than women with high rates of cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and suicides.

“Stark inequalities mean men in deprived areas live almost 10 years less than their more affluent peers.”

Karen Tyrell, chief executive of the charity Drinkaware, added: “Our research shows that 28% of male drinkers regularly drink above the chief medical officer’s guidelines of 14 units per week, compared to 12% of women.

“This is putting men’s health at risk, and we need to reduce that number.”

Mr Fothergill said some programmes by local councils are “making strides”, but said a men’s health strategy is needed.

The LGA also called for local suicide prevention funding to be reinstated.

A £57 million pot helping local authorities to provide support to those at risk of suicide ended in March.

Among the schemes are Gateshead Council’s Man v Fat programme to help overweight men boost their health through football, as well as a £2.5 million initiative by Islington Council to enhance mental health support for young black men.

“We are calling for men’s health to be recognised as a national concern, and for the Government to implement a men’s health strategy,” Mr Fothergill added.

“Innovative local initiatives led by councils are making strides, but national action is needed to help close the life expectancy gap.”

A 10-year women’s healthy strategy was unveiled by the Government in 2022 with the aim of improving how the healthcare system interacts with women and girls.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “There are unacceptable health inequalities across the UK and we are determined to tackle them to help people live longer, happier and healthier lives.

“The NHS is broken. We will get the NHS back on its feet and shift the focus from simply treating sickness to prevention.

“Our 10 Year Plan for Health will outline how we will ensure men are able to access the support and targeted interventions they need.

“Our plans to reduce obesity, improve cancer survival rates and enhance mental health services will also help to tackle the main drivers of poor health in men.”

The call by the LGA echoes that of charity group Movember, which published a report in July warning that more than 133,000 men die early every year in the UK.

The charity argued the leading causes of death, such as lung cancer and heart disease, could be prevented by cutting out smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating well and attending health screening and appointments.