The growing inequalities between male and female health outcomes in the UK has led to renewed calls for a national men’s health strategy, this time from the Local Government Association (LGA). This is the national body that represents English councils, and they have described the state of men’s health as a ‘silent crisis.’
The Guardian reports that the LGA has released a new report titled “Men’s Health: the Lives of Men In Our Communities’, in which several factors are identified that cause men to die on average four years earlier in England than women.
In order to combat this alarming statistic, the report’s authors call for a national men’s strategy, on a par with the existing Women’s Health Strategy. This was implemented in 2022 and aims to increase the awareness and understanding of female-specific conditions, and improve accessibility and quality of diagnosis and treatment.
What are the most common health issues men face?
Men are more likely to suffer from and die in greater numbers than women from a range of conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. They are also more at risk of suicide, and more likely to be overweight, obese, and become addicted to drugs or alcohol than women.
Many of these health conditions can cause another problem that is less openly discussed: erectile dysfunction (ED). Male sexual health problems are often the first sign that something else is wrong, because the ability to get and keep an erection requires good circulation and communication between the nerves in the pubic area and the brain.
Conditions such as heart disease and diabetes affect the blood flow and can damage nerves, and this can become noticeable in the narrow vessels and nerve linings of the penis. However, men are notoriously bad at discussing any niggles and issues with their health, and understandably they may be reluctant to talk about sensitive problems such as ED.
This not only affects mens’ quality of life, but it could also lead to serious underlying health problems going undiagnosed until they reach a much more serious stage and are more difficult to treat. ED can also cause or perpetuate problems such as anxiety, depression and social isolation. In many cases, it is easy to treat with medication.
For example, over 80 per cent of men respond well to oral treatments such as Viagra, which is available with or without a prescription after a short consultation with a pharmacist. It’s cheaper to buy under the unbranded name of sildenafil.
Lifestyle factors
Men are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles that contribute to poor health than women. Some of this may be down to factors beyond their control, such as sedentary jobs, or physically demanding jobs that may involve working in hazardous conditions.
Men may also have less time available to attend the doctor than women, who are more likely to work part time hours. However, men also on average drink and smoke more than women, and are more likely to take drugs and be prone to risk-taking. This may be the result of cultural conditioning or myths that taking care of one’s health is somehow ‘feminine.’
A report by the charity Movember earlier this year found that almost two in three men wait more than a week before visiting a doctor with symptoms, and almost half (48 per cent) believe that it is normal to avoid health checkups.
For example, less than 60 per cent of men take up the free NHS check-up offered to all adults in England aged between 40 and 74.
Comment from the LGA
The LGA has called for the reinstatement of the suicide prevention scheme, a £57m funding pot for local authorities to help those deemed to be at risk of suicide. The funding was cancelled in March this year. There are further calls for an expansion of exercise and weight management programmes aimed at men.
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.”
Mr Fothergill added: “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. Innovative local initiatives led by councils are making strides, but national action is needed to help close the life expectancy gap.”
The report also raised concerns about dangerous levels of alcohol consumption among a significant minority of men. This can raise the risk of liver disease, heart disease, obesity and ED, and also exacerbate risk-taking behaviours and worsen mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Karen Tyrell, chief executive of the charity Drinkaware, commented: “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.”
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.”
Countries such as Australia and Ireland, which already have men’s health strategies in place, have seen an improvement in male health outcomes in recent years.
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