Men's Health

Policies and initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of all men in Australia.

Page last updated: 15 May 2020

National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2030

The National Men’s Health Strategy aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all men and boys in Australia.

The National Men’s Health Strategy for 2020-2030 (the Strategy) builds on the National Male Health Policy 2010, and outlines Australia’s national approach to improving health outcomes for all men and boys, particularly those at greatest risk of poor health.

The Strategy aims to drive continuing improvement in the health and wellbeing of all men and boys in Australia. It identifies specific actions to address the health issues that affect men and boys throughout their lives and aims to reduce inequities in health outcomes between men and women, and between sub-population groups of men and boys.

Consultation for the development of the Strategy included:

a National Men’s Health Forum held on 9 August 2018;
an online public survey during October 2018;
targeted consultations with state and territory governments; and
advice from an Expert Advisory Group.

An evidence review commissioned to inform the development of the Strategy - The current state of male health in Australia – Informing the development of the National Male Health Strategy 2020-2030 - provides an overview of the health and wellbeing of Australian men. The evidence review can be provided upon request – please email preventive.policy@health.gov.au

National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 (PDF 2241 KB)
National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 (WORD 1497 KB)

National Male Health Policy

The Policy provides a framework for improving the health of all males and achieving equal health outcomes for population groups of males at risk of poor health. It provides practical suggestions for action men can take to improve their health and is designed to guide policy directions into the new decade. The Policy focuses on areas where we know we can make a difference in improving the health of Australian males, and on measures that target those with the poorest health.

More information on the National Male Health Policy

Research and Information

Building a strong evidence base on male health is a priority area identified in the National Male Health Policy to inform policies, programs and initiatives.

Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, also known as the Ten to Men Study, is a longitudinal population-based study which focuses on building a strong evidence base in male health. The Study will inform policies, programs and initiatives that promote health and support to males.

The Ten to Men Study is examining the health and lifestyles of around 16,000 Australian males aged 10 to 55 years across three age groups: boys aged 10 to 14 years; young males aged 15-17 years; and adult males aged 18-55 years. Parents of boys aged 10 to 14 years are also being interviewed.

Details of the Ten To Men Study, which commenced in 2011, can be found at: Ten to Men website.

More information on the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health Top of page

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: male health bulletins

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has drawn on a wide range of reliable national data sources to present a ‘snapshot’ of the health and wellbeing of Australian males. A series of four male health bulletins were published to provide up-to-date data for health professionals, academics, program designers/policy makers, key stakeholders and the general public.

These reports are:
The health of Australia’s males (released June 2011);
The health of Australia’s males: a focus on five population groups (released June 2012);
The health of Australia’s males: from birth to young adulthood (0-24 years) (released August 2013); and
The health of Australia’s males: 25 years and over (released August 2013)

Programs

A total of $16.7 million over four years was invested in male health programs that were designed to support the National Male Health Policy (the Policy) and build on efforts to address the priority areas identified in the Policy.

Men's Sheds

Men’s sheds are community-based, non-commercial organisations that are open to all men. Men’s sheds improve the health and wellbeing of their members by giving them a safe place to make friends, share meaningful activities, talk, and access health information and resources.
Visit our new website for more information on Men’s Sheds.