In November 2025, the UK government published England’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy, setting out a 10-year vision to improve the health and wellbeing of men and boys across the country.
The strategy was shaped by more than 6,500 responses submitted during the government’s national call for evidence, with mental health, suicide prevention, access to services, and preventative healthcare emerging as key priorities.
Why the Workplace Matters
The government’s findings highlighted that many men still avoid seeking help, often due to stigma, societal expectations, or difficulty accessing support. More than half of men who responded said there had been a time in the previous three years where they had not sought medical help for a health concern.
The strategy also identifies:
- Mental health and suicide prevention as major priorities
- The impact of workplace culture and societal norms
- The importance of prevention and early intervention
- The need for healthier living and working conditions
For employers, this creates an important opportunity to support better outcomes through safer, healthier, and more open working environments.
How ISO 45001 Supports Better Health Outcomes
ISO 45001: Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems is the international standard for creating safer, healthier working environments. By achieving ISO 45001 certification with ISOQAR, organisations demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving both physical and mental health in the workplace which is directly supporting the aims of the Men’s Health Strategy.
ISO 45001 helps businesses to:
- Reduce health risks through structured risk assessments and safer working practices
- Promote healthier behaviours through targeted wellbeing initiatives
- Support mental health by fostering a culture of openness and prevention
- Address health inequalities with inclusive, data-driven approaches
Creating Better Outcomes for Everyone
Although the strategy focuses specifically on men’s health, many of the themes apply across the workforce more broadly.
Organisations that invest in wellbeing and occupational health often see benefits including:
- Stronger employee engagement
- Reduced absenteeism
- Improved retention
- Better workplace culture
- Greater trust and openness across teams
ISO 45001 provides a structured framework to help organisations embed these principles into everyday operations.
At ISOQAR, we support organisations in building safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces through ISO 45001 certification.
As expectations around employee wellbeing continue to evolve, businesses have an opportunity to play a meaningful role in supporting positive health outcomes – not only through policy, but through culture, leadership, and proactive management systems.
For more information on achieving ISO 45001 certification with ISOQAR, contact our team today.
