Inexorable, Growing Political Support for Men and Boys Around the Country

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Henry Herrera

Telephone: +1-301-801-0608

Inexorable, Growing Political Support for Men and Boys Around the Country

WASHINGTON / January 15, 2026 – The past year has witnessed a series of bold new initiatives for men and boys established by Governors Gavin Newsom (CA), Wes Moore (MD), Gretchen Whitmer (MI), and others (1). Last month, for example, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) hosted its first Moving Michigan Males Forward Convening to address the urgent challenges facing men across the state (2).

Now Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has joined the list, as the Sutherland Institute convened a Men and Boys Well-being Symposium on January 8. The event spotlighted male health, vocation, and purpose.

The event revealed that nationwide, only 64% of men Strongly or Somewhat Agree with the statement, “I understand my purpose in life,” and 30% of men say they don’t have someone to talk with about their mental health (3).

In June, Virginia lawmakers announced a ground-breaking plan to establish the Virginia Advisory Commission for Men and Boys. Delegate Josh Thomas announced boldly, “Today is a declaration that Virginia will not stand by and lose a generation of men, whether they be young, middle-aged, or seniors. All men here in the Commonwealth are valuable…the men and boys in Virginia matter.” (4)

Men’s health has attracted considerable bipartisan attention in recent months:

In Congress, the Dads Matter Act of 2025 has been introduced both in the Senate (S. 2131) and House (H.R. 5828).
In June, President Donald Trump issued a message that revealed, “For far too long, the health, happiness, and well-being of our Nation’s men have been neglected, contributing to a troubling reality: men in the United States have a life expectancy five years shorter than women.” (5)
In late November, the American Medical Association approved a resolution that affirms, “Our AMA encourages the establishment of an Office of Men’s Health within each state’s Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate awareness, outreach, and outcomes on men’s health.” (6)

Men are lagging behind women in 12 major areas (7). As state legislatures commence their 2026 sessions, SAVE urges lawmakers to continue to strengthen our national focus on erasing the many disparities affecting men.

SAVE – Stop Abusive and Violent Environments – is a 501(c)3 organization working to assure due process, fairness, and equal opportunities for men.

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