Top five causes of Scottish men’s early deaths cost £1.7 billion a year – study

The five leading causes of men’s premature mortality in Scotland cost about £1.73 billion each year, according to a new report.

Men’s health charity Movember said about 90% of this cost is linked to preventable diseases.

It examined the impact of years of life lost for the following conditions: coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug use disorder, lung cancer and stroke.

Movember’s report said that Scotland has the lowest male life expectancy of any UK nation, with Scottish men typically living four years fewer than a Scottish woman.

Four of the ten constituencies with the highest rates of premature mortality are in Glasgow.

Movember have called for a Scottish Government action plan on men’s health.

Ayesha Ahmed, from Movember’s policy team, said: “Men in Scotland are dying too young, too often and from causes that could be prevented.

“Behind these numbers are fathers, sons, brothers, partners and friends whose lives are being cut short.

“The Scottish Government must match the scale of this crisis with the leadership and investment it demands.”

She added: “Scottish men cannot wait for another consultation or another generation of avoidable inequality.

“The time for recognising the problem has passed – we need action.”

John Hartson, former Celtic striker and men’s health campaigner, said: “Men’s health in Scotland is an issue that has been ignored by decision-makers for too long.

“Brilliant work is already happening across Scotland – in football clubs, workplaces and communities.

“But too many men are still only getting the support they need when they are seriously ill or at crisis point.

“The importance of health interventions where men are actually convening cannot be understated and the Scottish Government must commit to properly funding these models, as part of a wider action plan on men’s health in Scotland.”

Public health minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this report and am keen to reinforce this Government’s commitment to addressing the issues it raises, particularly to support prevention and tackle harms associated with drugs and alcohol.

“Work to specifically improve men’s health outcomes includes supporting the development of Men’s Sheds across Scotland for over a decade, as well as supporting the Be The Early Bird campaign aimed at the early detection of cancers affecting men, which has reached over two million men so far.

“I recognise the concerns raised about various diseases and issues having a greater impact on men and I am keen the Government work with organisations like Movember to improve how services and support are delivered across Scotland.

“However, we believe rather than developing a separate standalone men’s health strategy, the focus must be more immediately on ensuring we work across all health policies to address inequalities and plug any potential gaps in support.

“I intend to engage with Movember on their report to understand where we can work more closely together.”