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York Professor to lead national network, as first men’s health strategy launched

Posted on 19 November 2025

A University of York professor is playing a central role in guiding the UK’s first-ever national strategy on men’s health, published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Professor Galdas will work with Government and research partners to provide expert, evidence-based guidance

Professor Paul Galdas has been appointed Chair of the Men’s Health Academic Network, a national body that will advise the Government on the implementation of the strategy and the evidence needed to improve men’s health outcomes across the country. 

His work designing and evaluating men’s health interventions are referenced within the strategy and helped inform its overall direction.

Professor Galdas, who also wrote the foreword to the strategy, joined the Health Secretary, Prime Minister, policy makers, health professionals, and researchers at 10 Downing Street to mark International Men’s Day and the launch of the strategy. 

Landmark moment

He described the strategy as a “landmark moment” that formally recognises men’s health as a national public health priority. 

The strategy aligns men’s health with wider NHS reforms, and focuses on prevention, inequalities, digital access, and the combined role of employers, communities and health services in shaping outcomes for men and boys.

As Chair of the Academic Network, Professor Galdas will work with Government and research partners to provide expert, evidence-based guidance and identify emerging priorities as the strategy is implemented. 

The Network will support DHSC in building the evidence base, strengthening evaluation, and ensuring approaches to men’s health reflect the different needs of communities.

Health inequalities

Professor Galdas is already a significant figure in the national policy landscape through his contribution to the development of the strategy, and through his wider research on men’s mental health, health inequalities, and engagement with healthcare services. 

His work has contributed to growing recognition of the need for targeted, evidence-based action to address long-standing gaps in men’s health outcomes.

Alongside his national role, Professor Galdas leads regional action as Chair of the new Men’s Mental Health Taskforce for York and North Yorkshire, part of the £7 million Moving Forward programme aimed at improving men’s mental health, reducing inequalities, and increasing access to support across the region.

Meaningful progress

Professor Galdas said: “Men spend more than a fifth of their lives in poor health, and it has too often been accepted that the gap in life expectancy between men and women is inevitable. This strategy challenges that assumption and asks what we can do, across the whole system, to change it.

“For the first time, we have a coordinated national approach grounded in evidence, prevention and collaboration. It is only the beginning, but with leadership and support across the system we can start to make meaningful progress towards healthier and happier lives for men and boys.”

Dr Sarah Forbes, from the University of York’s School of Business and Society, also attended the event at 10 Downing Street, recognised for her work on advising on paternity leave and flexible working policies. 

Dr Forbes co-leads the Working Dads Employer Awards, hosted in Parliament, and her work is helping to shape a fairer future for families and workplaces.

The Government’s call for evidence earlier this year requested contributions from researchers, health professionals, community organisations, and members of the public. Professor Galdas encouraged people across York and North Yorkshire to share their experiences to help ensure the strategy reflected the needs of diverse communities.

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