The role of human resource management practices in promoting men's health: a systematic review

Background: Men experience disproportionately higher rates of cardiovascular disease, occupational injuries, mental health stigma, and reduced healthcare utilization compared to women, yet workplace health initiatives often overlook gender-specific needs. Human Resource Management (HRM) practices represent a critical organizational mechanism for addressing men’s health disparities. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Business Source Complete for peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025. Two independent reviewers screened articles and assessed quality using standardized tools. Studies were included if they focused exclusively on male employee populations or provided gender-disaggregated results. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively. Strategic HRM practices were associated with improvements in men’s cardiovascular health behaviors, psychological well-being, and stress levels, though effect sizes varied across HRM domains. Key functions, including flexible work arrangements, occupational health training, supportive leadership development, and comprehensive benefits packages, were positively associated with male employees’ health outcomes. Conclusions: HRM serves as an important organizational function for improving men’s health. Gender-sensitive Human Resources (HR) policies, integration of men’s health into talent management strategies, and enhanced training for HR professionals to recognize male-specific health barriers are recommended. The PROSPERO Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261301036, CRD420261301036.

Human resource management; Men’s health; Workplace wellness; Occupational health; Employee well-being; Gender-sensitive policies; Systematic review

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