Two in five men are dying early every year because of a failure to take their health seriously, report warns

Thousands of men are dying prematurely every week because of a failure to take their health seriously, a damning report warns today.

Two in five men in the UK (39 per cent) — or 133,000 a year — die younger than they should, according to The Real Face of Men’s Health study.

Many could have been saved with improved access to screening for diseases such as prostate cancer or by breaking the taboos that delay them from coming forward for care.

Some are deterred from seeking help because of ‘stigma’ or ‘traditional masculine norms’, which suggest they should ‘man up’ and endure pain – or risk being ridiculed by women for having ‘man flu’.

Others would have lived longer if they had received help to improve their lifestyles, including cutting back on alcohol, junk food and smoking – and doing more exercise.

The impact is felt beyond men themselves, with mostly female partners forced to act as carers and then left to grieve once they die.

The report highlights how the health of men in the UK is lagging behind women and other wealthy nations.

A boy born in the UK in 2021 can expect to live to 78.7, which is four years less than a girl.

The lives of men in Britain are also three years shorter than those in Switzerland, 2.6 years than those in Australia and 1.3 years than those in Ireland.

Apart from unhealthy lifestyles, men are also less likely to attend screening appointments and check-ups, putting them at risk of late diagnosis.

Two-thirds (64 per cent) wait more than a week before seeing a doctor, while a third (31 per cent) wait over a month.

Many men (62 per cent) say they want to leave their doctor or have left a previous one due to a lack of ‘personal connection’.

Movember, the charity behind the study, claims tackling preventable diseases in men could have saved the UK £9.4 billion ($18 billion) in 2023 alone, adding that men’s health has been ‘relegated to the sidelines’.

It said its report should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ and is calling for a men’s health strategy and a dedicated national clinical director.

Chief executive Michelle Terry said: ‘If we want these tragic numbers to decrease, and better support the men in our lives, real change is needed urgently.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘We know men can be reluctant to engage with health and other support services. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and we encourage anyone to speak to their GP if they have concerns.’