Decoding decision makers: What we’ve learnt about making men’s health matter

By Gautam Raju, Global Director, Policy and Advocacy.

In the 21 years since Movember began, we’ve seen monumental wins for men’s health. But for every step forward, there’s a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go. Listening to families who’ve lost husbands, brothers, sons, or friends to suicide, prostate cancer, or preventable diseases, I feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility. Despite our progress, men are still falling through the cracks of healthcare systems and dying too young from causes that could be prevented. We owe it to every family grieving a preventable loss to do better.

In 2024, we launched our Real Face of Men’s Health reports in Australia and the UK to reframe how society understands men’s health. This is just the beginning. In 2025, we’ll expand our efforts into Canada, New Zealand, the US, and Ireland, delving deeper into the systemic issues contributing to men’s poor health. Each time I sit with someone from our Movember community who has lost a loved one due to inconsistent, unresponsive health care, I’m reminded why this work matters. It’s about changing lives for men and everyone around them.

Movember ambassadors, partners, and staff outside 10 Downing Street, at the invitation of the UK government.

Repositioning Men’s Health: A Whole-of-Society Issue

Changing the way governments think about men’s health is no small feat. Shifting the narrative away from a "male-only" issue to one with profound, far-reaching implications for families, communities, and economies has been pivotal. When we presented our Real Face of Men’s Health reports to policymakers in Australia and the UK, one insight stood out: leaders respond to different aspects of the narrative. Some rally behind the power of collective action to bring about change, while others seek clear, tangible benefits for society. Both responses matter, and it’s our job to provide the insights that resonate.

Using Data to Drive Action

As Australia gears up for a 2025 federal election, data has become our most compelling tool for making the case for men’s health. Our research has revealed that health ranks among the top three issues for Australian voters in the most marginal seats, alongside housing and cost of living. This shows us that improved men’s health isn’t just good policy – it's what voters want. That's why we're calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to urgent and substantial investment in the National Men’s Health Strategy. Movember are pledging to co-invest $10 million dollars to get political parties to move on this.

The same sentiment rings true in the UK. Our polling shows that seven in ten people support the creation of a dedicated Men’s Health Strategy, with one in five (both men and women) believing it should be a top government priority. These numbers reflect a growing public recognition that men’s health is not just a men’s issue but a societal one. But data alone isn’t enough. Sure, it can open doors, but it's the personal stories that humanise the statistics and compel action.

Published as part of The Real Face of Men's Health report, our interactive map lays out new data on premature mortality in every UK parliamentary constituency.

Building Coalitions for Change

What’s increasingly clear is that we’re stronger together. Standing in parliament alongside our community ambassadors, whose personal stories bring The Real Face of Men’s Health to life, I felt the power of our coalition. Collaborating with LGBTQIA+ organisations, women’s health advocates, and culturally diverse groups has been transformative. It’s not just about influencing systems or policy; it’s about creating environments where men feel supported, connected, and heard.

As we close out 2024, I’m energised by the progress we’ve made and the partnerships we’ve built. Together, we’re not just raising awareness; we’re driving action. With every conversation, every connection, and every policy shift, I’m reminded why we do this: so fewer families have to say goodbye too soon.

Stay safe, stay well, and I’ll see you in 2025.

Cheers, Gautam

A Snapshot of Our Global Advocacy This Movember

While our community of 300,000-plus global fundraisers have been busy flying the flag for men’s health this Movember, our policy and advocacy teams have been driving important discussions with decision-makers in key markets. Here's some of their work in action...

UK Men’s Health Strategy announced

November was a historic month for men's health in the UK, with the government announcing its first-ever Men’s Health Strategy. This was the result of years of campaigning, culminating in the inaugural Men’s Health Summit co-hosted by Movember and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) at Arsenal Football Stadium on 28 November. The event brought together policymakers, ministers, researchers, charities, and men with lived experience, including Movember ambassadors Ugo Monye, a former rugby union player, and Kola Bokinni, star of Ted Lasso. Followed by a community audience with the Prime Minister at No10 on 29 November, with ambassadors and fundraisers sharing their lived experience with the highest level of UK government.

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne MP and Secretary of State for Health Wes Streeting led the summit, which focused on advancing men’s health and addressing health inequalities. The Men’s Health Strategy, designed to sit alongside the Women’s Health Strategy, will tackle critical health challenges affecting men, such as cardiovascular disease, prostate and testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Movember stands ready – along with its supporters and partners – to work with government to make this strategy a reality, driving meaningful improvements in men’s health across the UK. What a way to bring the month of Movember to a close!

Movember ambassadors and partners in conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for Health, Wes Streeting.

Launching Movember’s Election Platform

Despite its promise, the Australian National Men’s Health Strategy 2020–2030 has yet to deliver meaningful improvements in men's health due to chronic underfunding. That’s why we’ve launched our 2025 Australian Election Platform, calling for a $70 million joint investment to get the strategy operationalised. Movember has pledged $10 million of those funds as an initial investment. By harnessing an existing government strategy – released by a Coalition government and subsequently supported by Labor – we’ve made the case for support undeniable for both major parties. You can read more about this work here.

Taking action in Australia: The Hon Pat Conaghan MP; Michelle Terry, Movember CEO; and Hon Justine Elliot MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence; and Professor Simon Rice, Global Director of the Movember Institute of Men’s Health.

Advancing Men’s Health in Canada

In Canada, we took a major step forward for men’s health advocacy by securing a government sponsor to endorse our bill for the formal recognition of Men’s Health Week. This followed an impactful day on Parliament Hill, where our team engaged with Members of Parliament across all parties and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, laying the groundwork for transformative policy change. The day featured an expert men's health panel, with powerful insights from researcher Dr. John Oliffe, Inuit EMS first responder Solomon Tagak, and prostate cancer survivor Jeff Morrison. By bringing together key decision-makers from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the Office of the Attorney General, alongside partners like the Canadian Mental Health Association and men with lived experience, we’ve established a coalition ready to drive meaningful change for Canadian boys and men.

Lifting the profile of men’s health in the Beehive

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Movember was hosted by the New Zealand Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Matt Doocey MP at the Beehive (the Executive Wing of parliament), to connect decision-makers with Movember community ambassadors. This set the stage for the 2025 launch of the NZ Real Face of Men’s Health report, ensuring MPs are primed to support our policy asks.

Movember founder Travis Garone and New Zealand Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Matt Doocey MP, complete the final lap of a Movember 'Move' goal event outside the Beehive, alongside MPs and Movember community members.

The Movember Institute

What exactly is the Movember Institute of Men’s Health?

High-quality, world-class research doesn't just guide our program investments, it helps spark important conversations that elevate the issue of men’s health, and push governments and decision-makers into action.

Under the leadership of Professor Simon Rice, the Movember Institute of Men’s Health launched in 2023. Bringing together the brightest minds in men's health from around the world, to accelerate real-world impact – ensuring it drives meaningful change in men’s health.

The Institute has already spearheaded transformative initiatives like The Real Face of Men’s Health and a $59.5 million investment to support Indigenous men’s social and emotional wellbeing across Australia, Aotearoa, Canada, and the US. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to share what’s next!

To learn more about the Institute and subscribe to our newsletter, head to: movember.com/movember-institute