A Relational Framework for State-Level Men's Health & Wellness Proposals
Across the United States, governors from both major political parties are beginning to address what has long been an overlooked public health and social challenge: the wellbeing of men and boys. California, Michigan, Utah, Washington, and now Maryland are building state-level agendas that recognize the specific needs of this population, needs that intersect with family stability, economic mobility, and thriving communities. While the strategies vary, they share a common goal: to improve outcomes for men and boys in ways that strengthen the social fabric for everyone.
In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore has taken notable steps to put men and boys on the policy map. Drawing on themes from his 2025 State of the State address, public roundtables, and youth-focused site visits, Gov. Moore has emphasized five core areas:
Mental and Behavioral Health – Expanding access to services that are culturally responsive and welcoming to young men, particularly in communities where stigma and access barriers are highest.
Education and Mentorship – Partnering with nonprofits like Next One Up to provide year-round mentorship, leadership development, and academic support for boys and young men, especially those in underserved areas.
Workforce Reentry and Service Opportunities – Creating pathways for young men returning from justice system involvement or seeking career entry, including state service programs that build skills and networks.
Family and Fatherhood Engagement – Supporting fathers to be active participants in their children’s lives, recognizing the connection between father engagement and child wellbeing.
Juvenile Justice and Prevention – Advancing reforms that emphasize prevention, diversion, and second chances for young men in or at risk of entering the justice system.
These efforts are still evolving, with many details, particularly on funding levels, program design, and implementation timelines still in refinement. By centering men and boys within broader equity strategies, Maryland signals that improving male wellbeing is a statewide priority, not a niche issue.
Image in the style of Eyvind Earle.
California has taken a structural approach under Governor Gavin Newsom, issuing Executive Order N-31-25 to launch a statewide strategy for boys and men, with a focus on racial equity and boys and men of color. The order mandates interagency coordination across education, workforce, and health systems. It specifically directs agencies to address high male suicide rates, substance use disorders, educational gaps, and workforce participation declines. Initiatives include targeted mental health outreach through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, recruitment of more male teachers and counselors, and expanded workforce pathways through California Jobs First and the Master Plan for Career Education.
Michigan, under Governor Gretchen Whitmer, has opted for a more public-facing, cultural approach by making direct appeals to young men in speeches, emphasizing vocational training, recruiting men into teaching and healthcare roles, and encouraging civic participation. In April 2025, Gov. Whitmer issued an executive directive expanding access to college and skills training programs for men, with a particular focus on addressing declining enrollment and completion rates among male students. The directive calls for state agencies and educational institutions to identify and reduce barriers to participation, increase targeted outreach, and align training programs with in-demand careers, reinforcing her administration’s broader strategy to re-engage men in education and the workforce.
Utah, led by Governor Spencer Cox, situates male wellbeing within a broader family policy agenda. The Task Force on the Wellbeing of Men and Boys, housed under the Office of Families, was established through a collaborative process that engaged stakeholders from state agencies, community organizations, and the private sector to identify priority areas. Its work integrates initiatives like parenting support, home visiting programs, high-quality childcare expansion, and the Return Utah workforce reentry program for parents, alongside data collection efforts and annual reporting to the legislature to track outcomes and inform policy adjustments.
Over the last few years, the state of Washington has advanced a legislative approach through bills such as SB 5830 and SB 5446, which proposed creating the nation’s first state Commission on Boys and Men. The commission would have focused on five areas: education; jobs, careers, and financial health; fatherhood, family, and relationships; physical and mental health; and criminal justice experiences. The proposed legislation cites gender disparities in suicide, homelessness, addiction, educational attainment, and incarceration, and aims to coordinate across public, private, and nonprofit partners to develop data-driven solutions.
Nationally, efforts have been made to implement similar proposals, such as the Men and Boys Commission Act (H.R. 5986, 117th Congress), to establish a federal commission tasked with examining disparities in education, health, employment, and family relationships affecting men and boys. The proposed commission would advise Congress and federal agencies, coordinate across sectors, and promote programs addressing male-specific needs. While these efforts never passed, they remind us that although the current discourse on men and boys feels like a new issue, it’s not. In fact, the table below describes a series of legislative efforts (15 of them) that were proposed between 2000 and 2023. The sponsors of these bills are not just from one party and include Senate stalwarts like Strom Thurmond (R-SC), Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY). More recently, the legislation was championed by New Jersey Congressman, Donald Payne (D-NJ). Despite some versions of this initiative having bi-partisan support, to my knowledge, no version of a general men’s health bill has ever received a vote on the floor of Congress.
The challenge for Maryland and Governor Moore will be maintaining momentum and building coalitions broad enough to sustain this work beyond a single administration. Success will hinge on partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, educators, and grassroots advocates, paired with careful messaging that ensures targeted efforts for men and boys complement, rather than compete with, services for women and girls. Within these coalitions and community conversations, leaders must connect the challenges and successes of men and boys to the wellbeing of entire communities. Messaging should contextualize men not only as dads, sons, partners, and husbands, but also as workers, supervisors, police officers, teachers, coaches, and artists. Despite political divides and social media polarization, the narrative must consistently remind audiences that we share a common life in community.
If successful, Maryland and the efforts of Governor Moore could help lead a new era of policy where improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys is recognized not as a special interest, but as a public good, benefiting families, strengthening communities, and contributing to a more equitable society for all.
