More than 133,000 men die early every year in the UK – report

More than 133,000 men die early every year in the UK, often from preventable illnesses, according to a new report.

Two in five of all men die too young, while those living in the most deprived regions are 81% more likely to die prematurely than those in the wealthiest, according to the charity Movember.

Its new report found the health of men in the UK is worse than in many other wealthy countries.

A boy born in the UK in 2021 can expect to live to 78.7  – four years less than a girl, more than three years less than boys in Switzerland, 2.6 years less than boys in Australia and 1.3 years less than boys in Ireland, it said.

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.

Furthermore, in England and Wales, suicide is the leading cause of death among men aged 20 to 34, and the suicide rate generally is three times higher for men than women.

The report highlighted how men are less likely to have healthy lifestyles than women, and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs, have high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

They are also less likely to attend health screening appointments and check-ups with their GP, putting them at risk of late diagnosis of illnesses such as cancer.

Polling for the study found 64% of men wait more than seven days before visiting a doctor with symptoms, while 48% believe it is normal practice to avoid health check-ups. Less than 40% take up the offer of an NHS health check for which they are eligible.

Urging the Government to launch a dedicated men’s health strategy, Movember said tackling the main preventable diseases in men could have saved the UK £9.4 billion in 2023 alone.

Michelle Terry, chief executive of Movember, said: “The report findings should serve as a wake-up call to the unacceptable state of men’s health across the UK.

“For too long, men’s health has been relegated to the sidelines of broader health conversations. Men’s health doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

“If we want these tragic numbers to decrease, and better support the men in our lives, real change is needed urgently.

“We need to invest in education, health system reform to meet the unique needs of all genders and have a dedicated men’s health strategy if we truly want to make progress.”

The report found men living in Birmingham Ladywood are, on average, more than 3.5 times as likely to die prematurely (before the age of 75) than men living in Beckenham in Greater London.

Overall, men living in the 10 constituencies with the highest premature death rates are almost 3.5 times more likely to die early than men living in the 10 constituencies with the lowest.

Movember is also calling for the appointment of a dedicated national clinical director for men’s health in England and a minister for men’s health in Scotland to mirror appointments in women’s health.

Supporting the campaign, Alastair Campbell, former Downing Street director of communications, co-host of The Rest is Politics and mental health campaigner, said: “For too long, this country has been going backwards on policies that directly support men’s health.

“In mental health specifically, although there has been real progress in attitudes and awareness, the services and policies to tackle depression and anxiety have been going in the opposite direction.

“The new Labour government has a bright opportunity to be bold and change the face of men’s health – and this starts with a men’s health strategy.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “It is the mission of this Government to get the NHS back on its feet so it is there for everyone.

“We know men can be reluctant to engage with health and other support services.

“Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and we encourage anyone to speak to their GP if they have concerns about their mental or physical health.

“Prevention is better than cure so this Government will also shift the focus of healthcare from simply treating sickness to supporting people to live longer, healthier lives.”