London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Councils across the UK have demanded the government develop a national men’s health strategy after uncovering stark disparities in life expectancy between men living in wealthy and disadvantaged areas.
Why UK Councils Are Calling for Immediate Government Action on Men’s Health?
The Local Government Association (LGA) stated the issue should be “recognised as a national concern”. A declaration by the body – Men’s Health: the Lives of Men In Our Communities – claims men in constrained areas live up to 10 years less than their peers in wealthy areas, with smoking and extreme alcohol consumption contributing factors to the gap.
What Are the Causes of the Men’s Health Disparities?
David Fothergill, the head of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, stated: “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 restrained areas live almost 10 years less than their more affluent peers.” Fothergill expressed some programmes by local councils were “making strides”, but men’s health strategy was required.
The LGA also called for regional suicide prevention funding to be reinstated. In England and Wales, suicide is the greatest cause of death among men aged 20-34, and the suicide rate typically is three times higher for men than women. A £57m pot supporting local authorities to provide approval to those at risk of suicide ended in March.
Among the procedures already in place are Gateshead council’s Man v Fat programme to assist overweight men enhance their health through football, as well as a £2.5m enterprise by Islington council to improve mental health support for young black men. “We are calling for men’s health to be identified as a national concern, and for the government to enforce a men’s health strategy,” Fothergill stated. “Innovative local initiatives led by councils are making strides, but national action is required to help close the life expectancy gap.”
How Will the Government Address the Life Expectancy Gap?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated: “There are unacceptable health imbalances across the UK and we are determined to venture them to help people live longer, happier and healthier lives. “The NHS is split. We will get the NHS back on its grounds and shift the emphasis from simply treating sickness to prevention. “Our 10-Year Plan for Health will outline how we will ensure men can access the backing and targeted interventions they need.
“Our plans to decrease obesity, improve cancer survival rates and improve mental health services will also help to tackle the main drivers of poor health in men.”