The strategy will consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest health problems affecting men of all ages, which could include cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, as well as mental health and suicide prevention. It will form a key part of the Government's 10 Year Health Plan to fix the NHS. 

A call for evidence on the strategy will seek views on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women.

Streeting spoke to campaigners, including the UK Men's Sheds Association, Prostate Cancer UK and the African Advocacy Foundation, to hear directly about the obstacles currently facing men's health.

He said: ‘We're seeing mental ill-health on the rise, and the shocking fact that suicide is the biggest killer for men under the age of 50. Preventable killers like heart disease and prostate cancer are being caught far too late. 

‘Just as we are determined to end the injustices women face in healthcare, we won't shy away from the need to focus on men's health too. This government will publish a men's health strategy to tackle these problems head on.'

The strategy will be unveiled next year and the call for evidence will be launched in due course.

In response, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘We are very pleased the Secretary of State has announced a men's health strategy, which the LGA has been calling for.

‘As we have previously warned, men are facing a silent health crisis, dying nearly four years earlier than women with high rates of cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and suicides.

‘Innovative local initiatives led by councils are making strides, but national action is needed which recognises men's health as a national concern.'