New policy framework outlines priorities to strengthen healthcare, research, and public health responses for men and boys in the United States.
For too long, men and boys have faced unique health challenges that often fly under the public health radar. Now, a newly released policy agenda from the American Public Health Association’s Men’s Health Caucus aims to change that by laying out a concrete roadmap for the 2027–2028 cycle. The framework, which Men’s Health Network (MHN) is publicly welcoming, zeroes in on four critical areas that could reshape how the nation approaches male health disparities.
Men’s Health Network (MHN) welcomes the release of the American Public Health Association (APHA) Men’s Health Caucus 2027–2028 Policy Agenda, a framework outlining priorities to address health disparities and improve health outcomes for men and boys nationwide. The agenda identifies four priorities to guide policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and public health advocates:
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- Strengthen Government Coordination: Establish coordinating bodies and comprehensive plans to advance targeted policies for men and boys across government.
- Expand Healthcare Access: Improve access to preventive, behavioral, and trauma-informed healthcare services.
- Improve Healthcare Workforce Readiness: Equip healthcare professionals with the training and resources needed to address men’s and boys’ health needs.
- Advance Research and Evidence-Based Solutions: Strengthen research, evaluation, and quality improvement efforts to inform public health policies and interventions.
“The Men’s Health Caucus has worked for more than a decade to bring greater attention to the health challenges facing men and boys within the public health community,” said Dr. Salvatore J. Giorgianni, Senior Science Advisor at Men’s Health Network and former Chair of the Caucus. His comments underscore the deep institutional history behind this latest push, which builds on years of groundwork rather than starting from scratch.
Men’s Health Network has been active in the APHA Men’s Health Caucus since its inception. MHN Senior Science Advisor Dr. Salvatore J. Giorgianni served as the Caucus’s first Chair from 2012 to 2014, following his service as Vice-Chair and Co-Founder from 2010 to 2012. He has held the title of Chair-Emeritus since 2014. Notably, MHN did not directly participate in developing the 2027–2028 Policy Agenda, but it recognizes and appreciates the contributions of the Caucus leadership, Policy Committee, and participating organizations in raising awareness, strengthening public health discussions, and advancing support for men’s and boys’ health.
“Men’s Health Network extends its appreciation to the entire team, especially Jon Gilgoff, for their dedication and contributions to this important policy agenda,” said Ronald Henry, President of Men’s Health Network. “Their work provides valuable guidance for improving public health responses to the challenges facing men and boys.”
For more than three decades, MHN has worked to elevate men’s health within national and state policy discussions, supporting initiatives that strengthen preventive healthcare, expand access to screenings, and address longstanding disparities in health outcomes. In 2026, MHN endorsed the bipartisan State of Men’s Health Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives with a companion measure in the Senate. The legislation seeks to establish an Office of Men’s Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, strengthen federal coordination, and advance research into the health challenges facing men and boys.
MHN has also supported state-level legislation expanding access to prostate cancer screenings, advocated for greater recognition of men’s preventive healthcare needs, and continued its longstanding work supporting National Men’s Health Week and Men’s Health Month. Through these efforts, MHN continues its independent work to advance men’s health education, research, outreach, and public policy at the national and community levels.
Looking ahead, MHN encourages public health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and interested organizations to review the 2027–2028 Policy Agenda and consider its recommendations within their respective areas of work. MHN appreciates the continued efforts of the APHA Men’s Health Caucus and the many individuals and organizations contributing to public health discussions surrounding men’s and boys’ health.
Why it matters: This policy agenda represents a rare, coordinated effort to address a demographic—men and boys—that often gets overlooked in public health conversations. If its four priorities are adopted, they could lead to better access to preventive care, more targeted research, and a federal infrastructure that finally takes male health disparities as seriously as other public health crises.
Jennifer Thompson
Men’s Health Network
communications@menshealthnetwork.org
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