Today on International Men’s Day the UK Government launched a new Men’s Health Strategy for England. While alcohol is acknowledged as an important factor impacting men’s health, the strategy doesn’t go far enough to address the ill-health and inequalities it causes.
In response, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said:
“We welcome the Government’s ambition to tackle the stark and persistent inequalities in men’s health. Men face unique barriers to seeking help and support, and too often this leads to preventable illness and early death. Addressing alcohol harm must be central to any effort to improve men’s health outcomes. Unfortunately, the Strategy released today falls far short of addressing the key drivers of alcohol harm impacting men.
“Since the pandemic, alcohol deaths have surged, with the largest increases among men and those living in the most deprived communities. Alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for ill health and disability among men in the UK. It plays a causal role in over 200 diseases and injuries. Liver disease deaths have quadrupled over the last 50 years, with men twice as likely as women to die as a result. It is also a leading cause of working life lost among men.
“These harms are not inevitable. They are shaped by the environments in which we live, where alcohol is cheap, widely promoted and readily available, and by cultural norms that encourage heavy drinking as a marker of masculinity. This has left men disproportionately exposed to alcohol-related risk and suffering the consequences: higher rates of hospital admissions, alcohol dependence, suicide, cancer, cardiovascular disease and violent injury.
“We need bold, evidence-based action through effective pricing, marketing and availability policies, alongside markedly improved access to alcohol treatment and targeted mental health services. A comprehensive national alcohol strategy that addresses these issues head-on is urgently needed if we are to reduce inequalities, save lives and support men to live longer, healthier lives.”
ENDS.