Why we are focusing on men and why it matters for everyone

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ‘to man up’ means to “To demonstrate manliness, toughness, or courage when faced with a difficult situation”, and to be masculine is described as “having a character befitting or regarded as appropriate to the male sex; vigorous, powerful” (Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.). In contrast, to be feminine is to be “soft”, “tender”, “gentleness and pliability” and “grace”. When femininity is used in reference to a man it is described as “Chiefly disparaging. Of a man’s qualities, actions, or appearance: regarded as (stereotypically) appropriate for or characteristic of a woman, generally in a way considered to be inappropriate for or undesirable in a man”(Oxford English Dictionary, n.d.). While some of these definitions date back to the 1300s, the values they represent: strength, stoicism, toughness in men; softness and caregiving in women, remain deeply embedded across societies today. And while the positive side of these values is clear, when taken to extremes or applied stereotypically or inflexibly they can bring significant challenges that are exacerbated by our changing society.

This report focuses on exploring the worsening health outcomes experienced by many men in Cumberland, and on the impact that male attitudes and behaviours can have on society as a whole. We have a declining life expectancy in our most deprived groups of men in Cumberland, while the less deprived men and female life expectancies remain relatively stable. There are rising suicide rates, drug and alcohol misuse rates, worsening mental health, unequal educational attainment and restricted employment opportunities. The report will provide an analysis of the underlying drivers of these trends and highlight the gaps, challenges and opportunities across our communities, services and systems.

The health and wellbeing of men, women and children are deeply interconnected. The impacts of male health and emotional wellbeing shape women’s safety, children’s emotional development, family stability, and community structures. Equally, strong and healthy relationships, families and workplaces provide far reaching benefit. In highlighting the unique challenges and need to tailor approaches to improve men’s health, we aim to produce action that works for men but ultimately benefits all.

The big question

Alongside the quantitative evidence presented in this report, findings from The Big Question, a mixed-methods study commissioned by Cumberland Council and undertaken by Liverpool John Moores University to explore why suicide risk remains high locally (Ashworth, E. et al, 2026), reinforce the case for action. Residents described the impact of suicide, mental distress and isolation not only on individual men, but on families and communities. While conversations about mental health are increasing, stigma and delayed help-seeking remain significant barriers. Participants consistently called for earlier intervention, more accessible community-based support and stronger postvention for those affected by suicide.

Together, the data and lived experience highlight that improving men’s health and wellbeing is essential to reducing avoidable harm across the whole population. This report responds to that clear local mandate for change.

November 2025 saw the publication of the first Men’s Health Strategy in England: a 10 Year Plan to reduce health inequalities through a targeted approach (Department of Health and Social Care, n.d.). This report aligns with the national strategy’s three overarching aims:

• ensuring health services engage men and boys and are responsive to their needs
• building structures which empower men and boys to maximise their own health and wellbeing
• creating the conditions in which men and boys' health and wellbeing can thrive

Cumberland’s Annual Public Health Report applies these aims to our local context. It sets out our unique local picture, what is driving local inequalities, and what action is needed to create healthier futures for our population.

The aim of this year's Annual Public Health Report are to:

• describe the current pattern of men's health in Cumberland, including the social, economic and environmental factors that shape outcomes from childhood to older age
• highlight the ways in which men's health interacts with the wellbeing of women and children, recognising these as relational, interconnected and mutually reinforcing
• identify the unique cultural, structural and service-level factors that contribute to men's poorer engagement with health services and prevention opportunities
• highlight existing good practice across Cumberland
• propose clear, actionable recommendations for local systems, services and partners to improve men's health and narrow inequalities
• promote an evidence-informed conversation about masculinity, the male identity and men's wellbeing in Cumberland

Sex and gender

Throughout this report, the terms men and women are used to describe patterns of health and wellbeing. In doing so, it is important to acknowledge that sex and gender are related but distinct concepts. Sex refers to biological characteristics, while gender describes the socially shaped roles, expectations and identities associated with being a man, woman, or another gender identity. Most population-level data, health systems and policy frameworks remain structured around binary sex categories, which, along with the aim to explore male gender-based determinants and outcomes, shapes the analysis presented here. However, this report recognises that gender is complex, and that some people identify as transgender, non-binary or gender diverse. The intention throughout is to use available data pragmatically while remaining mindful of this diversity and of the ways in which gendered expectations and experiences influence health outcomes.