A Systematic Synthesis of National Policies and Practice Initiatives in Men's Health Worldwide

Men tend to engage more in risky behaviors than women, which often leads to worse health outcomes. This systematic review assessed global men's health policies and practices to identify common health issues addressed and key policy responses. In this systematic review, we searched and appraised national men's health policy documents according to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) instructions for review of text and opinion. We then analyzed the content of these documents to find common themes. Eleven national policy documents were included in this systematic review. The findings showed that the common health issues addressed in these policies were sexual health, colorectal and prostate cancer screening, mental health and suicide prevention. Other frequently addressed issues were violence, chronic disease, injuries, healthy eating and active living, workplace stress management, risky behaviors, workplace hazards and environmental toxins, hypertension, tobacco control, and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. The review concludes that men's health policies vary across countries, but common priorities like mental health, cancer screening, and sexual health emerge repeatedly. Strengthening these policies with targeted research, education, and gender‐sensitive approaches can improve health outcomes for men globally. This review highlights key areas for policymakers to focus on to better support men's health needs.