Men’s Health Week: Meeting men where they are through better health communications

Men’s Health Week is a timely reminder that improving health outcomes isn’t just about better treatments – it’s also about better communication. 

The event is not about playing men’s and women’s health against each other but rather recognising the different challenges that men face. The data shows that, on average, men live four years less than women, with cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes having a disproportionate impact on men’s health, affecting both how long and how well men live. Men also have higher rates of smoking, drinking and drug use than women, which can impact both physical and mental health. 

Research shows that men are less likely to engage with preventative healthcare and often delay seeking support for both physical and mental health concerns. This doesn’t mean they care less about their health. Rather, cultural expectations, competing priorities and the way health information is communicated can influence whether, and when, men seek support. 

These barriers can have real consequences. Delays in recognising symptoms, seeking advice or accessing treatment can affect outcomes across a range of health conditions, particularly where early intervention is key. Mental health provides one particularly stark example: men account for around three-quarters of suicides in the UK, while only 36% of people accessing NHS talking therapies are men. 

The UK Government’s recently launched Men’s Health Strategy for England is a welcome recognition of these challenges. Its 10-year vision aims to improve prevention, encourage earlier diagnosis and make it easier for men and boys to access the support they need. But policy alone won’t change behaviour. To make a meaningful impact, healthcare communications must meet men where they are – delivering messages that feel relevant, practical and easy to act on. 

That means moving beyond awareness for awareness’s sake. Effective healthcare communications should encourage action by understanding the barriers men face and tailoring messages accordingly. Studies suggest that straightforward, empowering information delivered without judgement is more effective than fear-based or overly instructional messaging. 

Equally important is where those conversations happen. Workplaces, sports clubs, gyms, community groups and digital platforms can all provide trusted environments, which men are already inhabiting, and where health messages feel natural and engaging. The most successful campaigns also use relatable language and memorable messaging to make it easier for people to recognise risks, understand symptoms and take the next step. 

At Beyond PR, we’ve seen the value of this audience-first approach through our work on disease awareness campaigns. Our award-winning #FaceUpToProstateCancer campaign used the memorable FACE acronym – Family history, Age, Changes in your pee and Ethnicity – to communicate key risk factors and symptoms of prostate cancer in a simple, actionable way. 

The campaign combined social media, strategic media relations and compelling patient stories to reach men through the channels they already use and trust. Alongside public-facing communications, we developed thought leadership to engage policymakers and supported the creation of the first All-Party Parliamentary Group on Male Cancers, helping bring greater focus to men’s health. 

By making complex information easier to understand and encouraging earlier conversations, the campaign demonstrated that effective healthcare communications can do more than raise awareness – they can influence behaviour, shape policy and improve outcomes. 

Ultimately, successful campaigns are about understanding audiences, removing barriers and delivering messages that resonate with people’s everyday lives. 

At Beyond PR, we help healthcare organisations create evidence-led campaigns that connect with relevant audiences and drive meaningful behaviour change. If you're looking to engage patients, healthcare professionals or the public through communications that inspire action, we'd love to hear from you. Contact the team at hello@beyondpr.com. 

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Sources: 

Unicity Medical Centre, Men’s Health Week 2026: https://www.unicitymedicalcentre.nhs.uk/mens-health-week-2026/ 

Department of Health and Socal Care, Men's Health Strategy for England: call for evidence: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/mens-health-strategy-for-england-call-for-evidence/mens-health-strategy-for-england-call-for-evidence

Department of Health and Social Care, Men’s Health Strategy evidence (RCGP PDF): https://www.rcgp.org.uk/getmedia/f8900202-c190-4a3a-be34-a2e7ede965a2/Department-of-Health-and-Social-Care-Mens-Health-Strategy-for-England.pdf 

Office for National Statistics, Suicides in England and Wales: 2023 registrations:  https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2023  

Men and Boys Coalition, Men’s Health Strategy for England: https://www.menandboyscoalition.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mens-Health-Strategy-for-England-Final-For-Publication-23-9-24-1.pdf 

Gloucestershire County Council, Men’s Health Insight Short Report: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/paxjjxdr/mens_health_insight_short_report.pdf