Supporting Movember and Men’s Health Awareness

That the Parliament notes that Movember is an annual global campaign held each November to raise awareness of and funds for key men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention; recognises that men’s health outcomes in Scotland remain a serious concern, with male life expectancy the lowest of any UK nation, more than 35 men dying prematurely every day and men around 50% more likely than women to die before the age of 75; understands that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, with thousands of new cases and around 1,000 deaths each year in Scotland, while suicide continues to claim the lives of hundreds of men annually, with the large majority of suicide deaths being male; believes that campaigns such as Movember play a valuable role in breaking down stigma, encouraging men to seek help earlier, and funding vital research and services; considers that greater public awareness, earlier detection, better access to support and coordinated action are essential to improve outcomes, and calls on the Scottish Government to continue supporting men’s health awareness initiatives, including Movember, to work with stakeholders to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis and mental health services and to take steps toward a dedicated, fully-costed Men’s Health Action Plan that addresses the scale of the challenge across Scotland.