The charity is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a fully costed, cross-government Men’s Health Action Plan, warning that men are still dying “too young, too often” from causes which in many cases could be prevented.
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The Real Face of Men’s Health: Scotland report found 12,982 men died before their 75th birthday in 2024, accounting for more than two in every five male deaths.
A boy born in Scotland can expect to live for 77.4 years – the lowest male life expectancy of any UK nation and around four years less than a woman. The average man is expected to spend only 59 of those years in good health.
Separate economic modelling commissioned by Movember estimates that five of the leading causes of years of life lost among Scottish men cost around £1.73bn every year.
The analysis covers coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), drug use disorder, lung cancer and stroke, with the total equivalent to around £642 for every male in Scotland each year.
Around £1.57bn of that cost, roughly 90%, is linked to preventable disease.
The calculation includes the direct cost of treatment, hospital services, prescriptions and other healthcare alongside the wider consequences of lost work and earnings, social care and long-term care.
For every £1 spent by the health service treating the five conditions, the report estimates that around a further £2.50 is lost to the wider economy and social care.
Ayesha Ahmed, from Movember’s Policy team, said: “Men in Scotland are dying too young, too often and from causes that could be prevented. Behind these numbers are fathers, sons, brothers, partners and friends whose lives are being cut short.
“The Scottish Government must match the scale of this crisis with the leadership and investment it demands. That means a fully costed Men’s Health Action Plan, clear accountability and services designed around how men actually live, communicate and seek support.
“Scottish men cannot wait for another consultation or another generation of avoidable inequality. The time for recognising the problem has passed – we need action.”
The report also lays bare stark inequalities in how long men can expect to live depending on where they are in Scotland.
In Glasgow Central, the male premature mortality rate stood at 978.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2024 – almost four times the 256 per 100,000 recorded in Eastwood, despite the two constituencies being less than ten miles apart.
Four of the ten Holyrood constituencies with the highest male premature mortality rates are in Glasgow, while men living in Scotland’s most deprived fifth of communities were 3.6 times more likely to die prematurely than those in the least deprived fifth.
Glasgow Central had the highest rate, followed by Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn, Motherwell and Wishaw, Glasgow Anniesland and Airdrie. Eastwood recorded the lowest rate in Scotland.
Cancer remains the single biggest cause of premature death among Scottish men, killing 3,783 men under 75 in 2024.
A further 3,406 men under 75 died from cardiovascular disease, including 2,023 from ischaemic heart disease. Men under 75 were 2.9 times more likely than women to die from ischaemic heart disease.
Drug and alcohol-related harm also continues to take a disproportionate toll.
In 2024, 694 men under 75 died from drug misuse and 708 from alcohol-specific causes. Drug-misuse deaths among men have risen by 44% over a decade, according to the report.
A further 488 men died by suicide before the age of 75, with almost three-quarters of suicides in Scotland involving men. Across all ages, 518 men died by probable suicide.
The report says the male suicide rate is almost three times that among women and remains broadly where it was a decade ago.
Movember argues Scotland should follow other countries in developing a dedicated national approach to men’s health.
Scotland has a Women’s Health Plan running until 2029 but no equivalent plan for men, while England launched a Men’s Health Strategy in 2025 and countries including Ireland and Australia already have dedicated policies.
Movember said a Scottish plan should focus on prevention, improving access to primary care, reaching men through workplaces, sports clubs and community organisations, and providing earlier support for mental health, addiction and cancer.
The report also highlights the experience of Graham Emans, 42, from Kilwinning, who began talking openly about his mental health after receiving support through football.
He said: “The support that changed things for me did not start in a doctor’s surgery. It started through football.
“For the first time, I started opening up about how I actually felt. If I had never found these programmes, I genuinely do not know where I would be.
“‘You’re fine, just get on with it’ cannot continue to be our answer to men’s health. We know more can be done. Now we need to do it.”
Former Celtic striker and men’s health campaigner John Hartson said: “Men’s health in Scotland is an issue that has been ignored by decision makers for too long.
“Brilliant work is already happening across Scotland – in football clubs, workplaces and communities. But too many men are still only getting the support they need when they are seriously ill or at crisis point.
“The importance of health interventions where men are actually convening cannot be understated – and the Scottish Government must commit to properly funding these models, as part of a wider Action Plan on men’s health in Scotland.”
Gordon Smart, Movember ambassador and broadcaster, added: “Improving men’s mental health is not a zero-sum game. Healthier men equates to stronger family bonds, healthier communities, reduced pressure on public services and a far more productive economy.
“Scotland has the knowledge, expertise and community infrastructure to turn this around. There is plenty of understanding, what is missing is action, leadership and accountability.”
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said the Scottish Government would work with Movember on the findings, but ruled out developing a standalone men’s health strategy.
She said: “I welcome this report and am keen to reinforce this Government’s commitment to addressing the issues it raises, particularly to support prevention and tackle harms associated with drugs and alcohol.
“Work to specifically improve men’s health outcomes includes supporting the development of Men’s Sheds across Scotland for over a decade, as well as supporting the “Be the Early Bird” campaign aimed at the early detection of cancers affecting men, which has reached over two million men so far.
“I recognise the concerns raised about various diseases and issues having a greater impact on men and I am keen the Government work with organisations like Movember to improve how services and support are delivered across Scotland.
“However, we believe rather than developing a separate standalone men’s health strategy, the focus must be more immediately on ensuring we work across all health policies to address inequalities and plug any potential gaps in support. I intend to engage with Movember on their report to understand where we can work more closely together.”
The report is being launched at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh on Monday, supported by Hartson and Smart.