Health care providers, educators, coaches, and other trusted adults have a powerful opportunity to engage adolescent and young adult males by recognizing and responding to their unique health needs. 

These young men are often overlooked in preventive care, despite facing distinct challenges, including higher rates of injury, substance use, certain mental health disorders like ADHD and suicide, and sexually transmitted infections. By becoming more attuned to these sex-specific patterns, professionals across all sectors can help bridge a long- standing gap in care. This isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about creating environments where young men feel seen, heard, and supported in making informed decisions about their well-being. When trusted figures show genuine understanding of male-specific health concerns, they unlock a critical pathway to empowerment. 

Whether it’s a doctor addressing sexual health with openness and respect, a coach encouraging mental wellness as part of athletic strength, or a teacher reinforcing the importance of sleep and nutrition, these messages resonate deeply. Awareness leads to engagement, and engagement leads to action. Equipping adolescent and young adult males with knowledge and agency over their health allows them to carry those habits into adulthood. Ultimately, meeting them where they are—physically, emotionally, and culturally—transforms routine care into a powerful moment of connection and growth.Addressing male sexual health also requires a focus on the broader context of sexual consent, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Young males often receive inconsistent or inadequate education about consent, which can lead to confusion about personal boundaries and respectful sexual behavior. Furthermore, adolescent and young adult males who identify as LGBTQ+ face additional risks and stigma, including higher rates of discrimination and barriers to care. Promoting inclusive, comprehensive sexual education that affirms diverse gender and sexual identities while emphasizing the importance of mutual consent is essential for reducing risk and fostering healthy, respectful relationships among all youth.