Landmark event: challenges and changes in men's health

Ian said 'This is exclusive news as this new and important body has not yet been publicly launched. Peter early inclusion reflects his expertise and contribution to men's health.'

The RSPH’s Academy of Experts is still being established and will identify national and international experts in different public health specialisms. The intention is a national resource of 100-150 experts. The Academy currently has 15 members and will be publicly launched once there is a critical mass of 20-25 experts.

Peter Baker stood down in the summer after twelve years as the MHF's CEO. He said said it was a great honour to be included in such a list of prestigious public health experts. Peter spoke about his work with Ian and Alan building the Forum and delivering on successful work such as:
• policy work such as identifying that men are almost 70% more likely to die from cancers that affect both sexes and work highlighting the scale of obesity in men
• campaigns such as that for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms screening programme for older men and for the chlamydia screening programme to target young men as well as women.
• taking over the malehealth.co.uk website, making it hugely popular and award winning

The MHF is stepping up its fight

Professor Alan White, chair of the Men's Health Forum spoke about what the organisation's new strategic plan means in practice.

He said 'Our fight to tackle men’s needlessly poor health builds on all of our experience, our research and our policy. Our fight builds on our policy pedigree to Campaign for changes that will make a difference to men and boys, especially in those communities where the problems are greatest.

To develop local community networks of professionals and volunteers and to provide information, resources and training to equip organisations and professionals to deliver services to men and boys.'

Alan gave the audience an exclusive preview of two major new pieces of work which we will launch over the winter.

The Forum's new health improvement project in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark in south London is about to begin. Alan said: 'We believe this is that largest and most concentrated attempt ever made to improve male health in one particular area. This project is possible due to the generous funding of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ charity and will see us work with the local communities across the Lambeth and Southwark to improve the health of men in some of the country’s most deprived areas and develop new health services for men that can be launched nationally.'

Through the project and elsewhere, the Forum will be providing more health promotion and education directly to men under a new brand ManMOT.

Alan said: 'The Forum has been a long serving partner working with other charities to help Pfizer run the ManMOT website. Now, thanks to their support, we will relaunch the ManMOT website ourselves. This fantastic online service will enable men to talk directly to a GP at a time convenient to them and in a convenient, confidential manner. No appointment needed. The ManMOT website will be joined by a new generation of printed info for men, also under the ManMOT brand, and in due course by a smart-phone and tablet app which enable men to access the service from pretty much anywhere.'

Alan concluded by saying 'We cannot tolerate the health of men being left behind. The MHF is taking its pedigree in developing policy and practice and turning that into action. The MHF is drawing on its expertise to say: We know about men’s health and we can show you how to ‘do’ it. We also do it ourselves'.

• More: Professor Alan White's speech
• More: Peter Baker's speech
• Photo, top to bottom: Peter Baker, Alan White, Ian Banks