Illinois Leads the Nation in Men’s Health:
A Closer Look at the 2025 Men’s Health Assessment
In a bold and overdue step for public health, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released a major new resource designed to elevate the conversation around men’s health in the state and across the country. Titled the Men’s Health Assessment 2025, this report, authored by Andrew Lerch, DPT, PT, Men’s Health Section Chief at IDPH’s Office of Health Promotion, represents a groundbreaking effort to better understand, and ultimately improve, the health outcomes of men across Illinois.
📄 Read the full report here:
Why This Report Matters
For decades, public health policy has focused on populations traditionally defined by age, race, or socioeconomic status, but rarely by gender for men. As a result, critical issues that disproportionately affect men have not always received the focused attention they deserve.
Illinois is changing that.
The state is one of the few in the nation to house a dedicated Men’s Health Section within its public health infrastructure. Led by Andrew Lerch, this section is charged with raising awareness of the key health issues facing men, evaluating current data, informing evidence-driven policy, and driving meaningful action to improve outcomes. (Illinois Department of Public Health)
The 2025 assessment builds on this mission by offering a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive analysis of men’s health across Illinois, a foundational document for future interventions, partnerships, and policy work.
A Snapshot of Men’s Health in Illinois
While the full assessment covers a wide range of topics, some key themes emerge early and clearly:
Disparities in Health Outcomes
Despite advances in medicine and public health, men in Illinois experience poorer health outcomes compared to women in several key areas. These disparities span:
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Life expectancy
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Chronic disease morbidity and mortality
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Substance abuse and overdose
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Suicidal behavior
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Homelessness
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Incarceration
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Academic achievement
According to the report, many of these inequities are growing, particularly among specific demographic groups such as African American/Black men and men affected by lower incomes or geographic barriers to care. (Illinois Department of Public Health)
This isn’t just a matter of statistics; these are real differences that translate into shorter lives, diminished quality of life, and barriers to well-being for thousands of Illinois families.
Why a Gender-Specific Public Health Approach is Needed
The assessment underscores a fundamental reality that has been overlooked for too long: men’s health requires its own lens in public health strategy. While many health issues affect everyone, men face unique biological, psychological, and social determinants that influence their health behaviors and outcomes.
Lerch and the assessment are clear about this point:
A gender-specific approach can transform public health by:
- Improving targeted identification of risk factors
- Enhancing outreach efforts to populations traditionally less engaged in care
- “Meeting men where they are”, both literally and figuratively, in health settings and community spaces
- Increasing participation in preventive care and routine screenings
Men, statistically, are less likely to seek preventive care and more likely to delay treatment even when symptoms are concerning. This pattern contributes to later diagnoses and poorer outcomes for conditions that could otherwise be detected earlier or prevented altogether. (Illinois Department of Public Health)
This assessment doesn’t just catalog problems; it points toward a new paradigm in how public health systems engage men as partners in their own health journeys.
Key Areas of Focus in the Assessment
Although the comprehensive 2025 assessment covers dozens of health topics in detail, several key areas stand out as priorities:
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Men are significantly more likely to die by suicide than women. Nationally, men die by suicide at a rate nearly four times that of women, a trend mirrored in Illinois. (Illinois Department of Public Health)
The assessment highlights the need for targeted mental health services, anti-stigma campaigns, and better integration of mental health support in primary care settings.
Chronic Disease and Preventive Care
Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes continue to be the leading causes of death among men. Men are also less likely to pursue routine screenings that detect diseases like prostate and colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
The assessment calls for innovative strategies to increase preventive care uptake among men, including community outreach, employer-based interventions, and culturally tailored health education.
Substance Use and Overdose
Substance abuse and overdose remain significant contributors to premature death among men. By identifying patterns in these behaviors and framing them within the context of social and economic influences, the report sets the stage for more effective prevention and treatment programs.
Social Determinants of Health
Health is shaped by more than biology. The Illinois assessment acknowledges that where men live, work, and socialize directly impacts their health outcomes.
In particular, racial disparities and economic inequality are intertwined with health disparities, reinforcing the importance of policies that address the social determinants of health alongside clinical interventions.
A Call to Action for Policy, Practice, and Partnerships
One of the most compelling aspects of the 2025 assessment is not what it documents, it’s what it recommends.
The report outlines strategic recommendations for:
- Public policy reforms aimed at reducing barriers to care
- Targeted services designed to engage men earlier and more effectively
- Cross-sector partnerships with community groups, employers, and healthcare providers
- Improved data collection to monitor trends and outcomes over time
By making data actionable, Illinois is positioning itself as a leader in men’s health strategy, pushing beyond awareness to measurable impact.
Looking Ahead: A Model for Other States
Illinois is one of a short but growing number of states taking a systemic, data-driven approach to men’s health. With the establishment of a dedicated Men’s Health Section within the Illinois Department of Public Health and the release of this comprehensive assessment, the state has laid a clear and replicable blueprint for how men’s health can be formally integrated into public health infrastructure.
Rather than treating men’s health as a secondary or fragmented issue, Illinois has elevated it as a distinct population-level priority, supported by surveillance, analysis, and strategic planning. This approach acknowledges what data have long shown: when men’s health is overlooked, the consequences ripple outward to families, workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities.
In an era when public health agencies are increasingly challenged to do more with limited resources, the importance of strategic focus and targeted action cannot be overstated. By grounding its efforts in evidence and clearly identifying gaps, risks, and opportunities, Illinois is demonstrating how thoughtful planning can maximize impact while informing smarter investments.
The 2025 Men’s Health Assessment is more than a snapshot of current conditions; it is a foundation for action, accountability, and long-term improvement. It signals what is possible when men’s health is approached with intention and seriousness, and it offers a roadmap worthy of attention not just in Illinois, but across the nation.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you are a health professional, policymaker, community leader, or simply a resident, this assessment provides valuable insights and an invitation to help shape solutions.
Here are a few ways to engage:
- Read the full Men’s Health Assessment 2025 and share its findings with your networks.
- Connect with local health departments to see how data is being used for programs near you.
- Support statewide initiatives that promote preventive care and mental health services for men.
- Advocate for policies that address disparities and improve access to care.
- Become an Ambassador for Men’s Health.
