Women, typically, have been the focus for discussions of health inequa
lities in relation to gender. Now research on prostate illhealth turns
attention to the neglected area of men's health and to men's disadvan
tage in health. Drawing on evidence of men's experiences and perspecti
ves of their health, the complexities of the workings of gender in rel
ation to health are explored, using current theorising around masculin
ities, hegemonic masculinity, negotiated gender and the disaggregation
of gender from sex. Touching also on a range of other related issues
including methodological ones, the discussion offers ideas towards bet
ter understanding of gender in relation to health disadvantage. In the
context of the continuing concern about health inequalities, there is
scope not only for documenting 'hidden' health disadvantage among men
, but also for reviewing how health disadvantage by gender is framed a
nd analysed; both are useful to inform health policy and practice.