About the Men’s Health Caucus

The mission of the Men’s Health Caucus (MHC), as an officially recognized special interest area of the American Public Health Association, is to bring together academic, federal, state and local health departments, private and non-profit organizations with a common interest in improving the health and well-being of men, boys and their families. The MHC coordinates a diverse, multidisciplinary, and coordinated approach and group to better tackle public health issues within our communities.

Men over past decades have shown poorer health outcomes across all racial and ethnic groups as well as socioeconomic status. Men’s health is a concern to Federal and State governments, public health departments, community health centers, health professionals, and other key stakeholders who absorb the enormous costs of premature death and disability, including the costs of caring for dependents left behind. Educating men and boys, their families, and health care providers about the importance of early detection of male health issues (i.e. cardiovascular, mental, prostate heath, cancer [lung, prostate, skin, colorectal, testicular, and more], HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and other pertinent health issues) can result in reducing rates of mortality for male-specific diseases, as well as improve the health of America’s men and its overall economic well-being. The premature death and disability of men and boys is a serious and expanding public health issue.

MHC produces policy agendas to guide the work of stakeholders wishing to advocate for or implement public policy to support boys’ and men’s health. You can find our current policy recommendations here.