Supporting Men’s Health Academic Network, Men’s Health: a Strategic Vision for England
Posted on Friday 21 November 2025
Wednesday 19th November also marked a very special occasion: England's national policy launch of a new Men’s Health Strategy, the first of its kind. Its publication by the Department of Health and Social Care signals a shift from isolated activity to a coordinated, evidence-based approach that recognises men’s health as both a public health priority and a
measure of how well our systems respond to diverse needs across society.
Meet Professor Paul Galdas, the architect behind this policy who was appointed Chair of the Men’s Health Academic Network, who will work with colleagues across the sector to build the evidence that will help this strategy become a living, evolving framework.
When discussing the reasons for establishing a strategy focused on men’s mental and physical health challenges, Professor Galdas offers a clear vision of the broader societal return on investment. He explains:
“The benefit of getting this right extends far beyond individual men. When men are well, families thrive, workplaces are more productive and communities become stronger. Healthier means healthier societies. Addressing men’s health is therefore a matter of special pleading but of social justice and economic common sense.”
Professor Paul Galdas, Men’s Health Academic Network Chair
Professor Galdas will work with Government and research partners to provide expert, evidence-based guidance
A Long Story of Supporting Men's Mental Health at York
With Professor Galdas being based at the University of York, his appointment inevitably makes our institution the ideal home to lead this policy agenda. This reinforces a long tradition of supporting mental health research, and men's mental health is a key part of that. This month, for instance, our Vice-Chancellor is proudly growing a moustache and fundraising for Movember, a leading charity that is changing the face of men's health on a global scale.
Professor Galdas has a long-standing partnership with Movember, whose funding has supported the development of Performance Habits, a proactive men's mental fitness programme created in partnership with elite sport and workplace settings. The programme is based on behavioural activation, a well established psychological approach that helps people take small, purposeful actions to improve mood and resilience. It translates this evidence into clear, practical steps that help men build mental fitness before problems escalate.
As part of this work, Professor Galdas has developed a workplace guide for supporting men's mental health, along with a resource that outlines five simple tips for employees. The tips are grounded in behavioural activation and give organisations an accessible way to support men's wellbeing through everyday habits rather than complex interventions. The resource is designed to match how many men prefer to engage with support, making it easier for workplaces to start meaningful conversations and normalise proactive mental fitness.
Together, these tools offer employers a credible, evidence informed route to strengthening men's mental wellbeing at work, aligned with Movember's mission to create environments where men feel able to take action early.
Earlier this year, Professor Galdas was appointed Chair of the Men's Mental Health Taskforce in the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, further demonstrating the support his expertise is receiving from the wider region.
This has laid the groundwork for Professor Galdas to be the academic lead for the nation’s first strategy on men’s health. To celebrate this achievement, he was invited to a Reception Event for International Men's Day at 10 Downing Street in presence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Professor Paul Galdas’ mental fitness for men employee resource, adapted for companies and commissioned by Movember.
The Need for a National Research Centre: Turning Strategy into Impact
On average, men in England live nearly four years less than women and spend more than a fifth of their lives in poor health. These outcomes are not inevitable. They are shaped by structural and social conditions of the environments where men live and work. Despite growing awareness of gendered health inequalities, men remain under-represented in public
health policy and practice.
One of the seven key recommendations of the national strategy is to build the research base to improve outcomes, setting healthier behaviours, improving men’s access to treatment and developing better training for health staff.
We have infrastructure support from the NIHR, but we need philanthropic seed funding to
make a real impact. This funding will allow us to:
- Build the Team: Hire research fellows and an operational centre manager
- Deliver Real Change: Forge partnerships to test and scale new service models across workplaces, health systems, and communities.
Join us in making the Men’s Health Strategy a sustainable and impactful reality.
Further information
- Read Men’s health: a strategic vision for England (published on 19 Nov 2025)
- Read University’s press release to know more about Professor Paul Galdas’srole in the new strategy
- For inquiries about supporting men’s health at York, please contact Philanthropy Manager, Audrey Bounaix at audrey.bounaix@york.ac.uk