A new 10-year plan to improve men’s health - what it means for you
The plan sets out the government’s 10 year strategy for men’s health, including its vision for improving men’s health and wellbeing over the next decade and the actions being taken now to support men and boys to live longer, healthier lives.
The plan was informed by a national call for evidence that ran earlier this year, bringing together views from men, health professionals, charities and community organisations.
Nationally, men tend to live shorter lives than women and spend more years in poorer health. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for men under 50, and preventable conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes continue to have a significant impact. These national patterns matter, but they only tell part of the story. What matters just as much is how they affect men living and working in North Yorkshire.
What this means for men in North Yorkshire
Local data shows that men in North Yorkshire have a life expectancy of around 80.3 years, which is slightly higher than the England average. However, this overall figure masks deep inequalities within the county. In some of the most disadvantaged areas, men can live up to 11 years less than those in more affluent parts of North Yorkshire.
Living longer does not always mean living well. Across the wider Yorkshire and the Humber region, men can expect to live only around 52 to 53 years in good health. This means many men spend a significant proportion of their lives managing long term illness or poor health, particularly as they get older.
Together, these figures show that while many men in North Yorkshire live relatively long lives, too many spend those years in poor health, with outcomes strongly shaped by where they live.
Mental health is also a major concern. Nationally, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for men under 50, underlining the importance of early support, access to services and tackling stigma around asking for help.
Barriers men face when accessing support
The men’s health plan recognises that many men are less likely to seek help early. This reflects what Healthwatch North Yorkshire hears from local people. Some men tell us they delay seeking support until problems become serious. Others describe difficulties booking appointments that fit around work, uncertainty about where to go for help, or challenges linked to travel distance and digital access in rural areas.
These barriers matter because earlier support can prevent conditions from worsening and reduce the need for more intensive treatment later on.
Understanding these barriers starts with listening to the men affected by them.
Why listening to men’s experiences matters
Understanding men’s health is not just about statistics. It is about listening to real experiences and using them to help shape services that work better for everyone.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire helps make sure the voices of local people are heard, including men who may not always feel confident sharing their experiences. By telling us what works well and what could be improved, men can help influence how health and care services are planned and delivered. These experiences help highlight barriers that data alone cannot show, such as how appointment systems, travel, work patterns or communication affect men differently.
What happens next
The men’s health plan sets a national direction, but real change depends on what happens locally. Services need to reflect the realities of men’s lives in North Yorkshire, including work patterns, rural living and access to support.
If you are a man living in North Yorkshire, or you support men who use health and care services, your experience matters. Sharing your views with Healthwatch North Yorkshire can help ensure local services better meet the needs of men now and in the future.
