Reaching men with person-centred health services through evidence-based approaches and interventions

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29 November 2023

Today, WHO in collaboration with UNAIDS launched a global framework to reach men with person-centred health services through evidence-based approaches and interventions. This document lists WHO evidence-based recommendations for men and provides a framework to increase men’s engagement in health systems across HIV and related health services including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), viral hepatitis and HIV/TB co-infection.

Globally, adolescent boys and men aged 15 years and above accounted for 53% of total new HIV infections among adults in 2022. Outside of sub-Saharan Africa, men and boys accounted for 70% of HIV infections. In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV cascade data show that men are less likely than women to know their HIV status, initiate treatment and reach viral suppression. Furthermore, men are at increased risk of treatment interruption and are twice as likely to have advanced HIV disease compared to women.

Other STIs, viral hepatitis and HIV/TB co-infection are pressing health concerns that can be addressed alongside HIV. Men, including men from key populations in many countries, have higher incidences of gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis and hepatitis C. TB prevalence among men is over twice as high as among women. TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV. And men living with HIV are nearly twice as likely to die from TB as women.

The newly unveiled WHO framework outlines a person-centred care approach specific to men and synthesizes evidence-based interventions to promote person-centred care across HIV and other related services. It describes the next steps needed to implement person-centred services successfully and acceptably for men and identifies areas where additional evidence is needed. Finally, it summarizes the unique barriers to accessing health services experienced by men and strategies to address these and improve health service outcomes for men, across the 3 core pillars of patient-centred care – access to care, quality services and supportive services.

“Most men want access to health care, but need services that are accessible and acceptable for them and meet a range of health needs including and beyond HIV. We hope this new framework will encourage greater thought about men’s health and greater action in making health services more effective for men,” says Wole Ameyan, WHO focal point on Men and HIV.

“Effective healthcare must transcend gender disparities, offering tailored, equitable access. This framework marks a paradigm shift towards an inclusive health system that acknowledges and addresses the specific healthcare journeys of men. We must use this evidence-based, person-centred framework to advocate for men’s health and pioneer a holistic transformation in public health,” say Lycias Zembe, UNAIDS focal person on Men and HIV.

Men’s health matters. Increasing evidence shows that men care about their health and want to use health services, but how health systems are organized, and the services offered often limit men’s routine contact and access to HIV and related services. Health systems can and should address male-specific barriers to care by providing person-centred services specific to men’s needs. It is time health systems become a place for all populations, including for men.