Men's health guidance

This guidance supports organisations and employers to implement measures which support men’s health and drive cultural change to help beat the stigma which surrounds this topic.
According to gender statistics released by NHS Digital in 2021, over 23 per cent of our NHS workforce are male or identify as male. Out of a total of 1.35 million NHS staff, there are approximately 320,000 men working in the service.
It is therefore imperative, as outlined by the Men’s Health Forum, that NHS organisations put a strong focus on men’s health and wellbeing.
Statistics show that on average:
- men’s life expectancy is 3.7 years less than females
- men go to the doctor less than women
- men are three times more likely to die from suicide, than women.
The NHS people promise focuses on prioritising ‘looking after our people’, to ensure staff are safe and healthy at work and can deliver safe and high-quality patient care. Here we outline ways in which health and wellbeing leads, managers and employees can take collective responsibility to support the physical and mental wellbeing of men working in the NHS.
It is important to note that the topics covered are not exhaustive of men’s health issues, but highlight the main areas our network has told us they would like support with.
If there are any topics you would like us to include, or if you would like to share how you have supported men’s health in your organisation, please get in touch.
How your organisation can support men’s health
Resources
In the sections below, we have collated some relevant topics of focus you may want to consider as part of your support for men’s health. Please note that it is not an exhaustive list, so it is worth adopting a consultative and localised approach to meet your organisational/staff needs.