Men's Health: How to improve health outcomes, knowledge and behaviours
We carried out new research to help shape the Government’s upcoming first-ever men’s health strategy for England.
In June 2025, we commissioned a nationally representative poll of 3,575 men aged 18 and over and gathered additional insights from local Healthwatch groups engaging men from varied backgrounds, spanning a wide range of ages, ethnicities, occupations, and areas..
In our latest research, we explored men’s experiences with prevention and care of male-specific health conditions, their health awareness, and priorities for improving NHS services.
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What did men share about their experiences?
Most men haven't been invited to an NHS Health Check
Only 37% of eligible men had ever been invited for a NHS Health Check, but over half who attended made lifestyle changes. Most (92%) would go again.
They would attend Prostate Cancer Screenings if it became routine
79% of men (81% of Black men) would attend screening if the NHS introduced it routinely. Only 36% of men aged 50+ had asked for a PSA test, and a small number were refused.
Men are less likely to seek mental health support than women
Just over half of men would see a GP for mental health concerns, and only 20% would self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies if they experienced mental health issues.
Men were significantly less likely than women to seek support from friends and family for mental health support (38% vs 45%).
They mostly want to receive health related information from NHS sources
One in ten men use AI tools like ChatGPT for health information but mainly rely on NHS sources. They mostly want to receive information from the NHS via email and the NHS App.
Better GP access is the top priority for change in the NHS for men
Men’s top NHS priority is better GP access and continuity of care—they value seeing the same GP for ongoing issues, even if it means waiting longer.
What would improve men's health care?
Improve more consistent NHS Health Check invitations
Stronger direction and oversight is needed to improve the number of invites issued, uptake rates and consistency across local authority areas.
Collecting and publishing demographic data to monitor attendance patterns, and running targeted awareness campaigns and outreach to engage underserved and high-risk men.
Policymakers should consider men’s views when planning a national prostate cancer screening programme.
When deciding on a national prostate cancer screening programme, policymakers should take men’s views into account alongside clinical and economic evidence. Clear, consistent guidance should also be provided for both GPs and the public on PSA testing for men aged 50 and over.
Mental health support and suicide prevention needs to maintain a varied, accessible approach
Mental health support should remain varied with a ‘no wrong door’ approach to suicide prevention and improve referrals pathways from the third sector.
Improved awareness of NHS talking therapies is needed, including clearer information on how data is handled. Data should also be disaggregated between self- and GP referrals, to understand where to target changes in behaviour to improve uptake.
Men would benefit from a Men's Health NHS page
Creating a men’s health page on the NHS website to raise awareness of spotting and avoiding online misinformation and develop health literacy from a younger age.
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Interested in learning more? You can read our full report below.
If you require this report in a different format, please contact us by emailing enquires@healthwatch.co.uk or calling us on 03000 683 000
