'EmpowerED for Life': Campaign to sensitise on erectile dysfunction launched

A campaign aiming to sensitise the public of erectile dysfunction while advocating for men’s health across the African continent has been launched.

Dubbed ‘EmpowerEd for life’, the campaign seeks to shift the narrative around Erectile Dysfunction from stigma to support by fostering open conversations, promoting accurate information, and advocating for early diagnosis and proper treatment.

The campaign is spearheaded by Viatris, a global healthcare company with a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life.

The campaign will roll out in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa, deploying a multi-channel strategy including digital media, community outreach, professional education, and partnerships with healthcare providers to reach men and their partners in both urban and rural settings.

According to the company, the initiative will play a critical role in raising awareness of Erectile Dysfunction while breaking the stigma around men's health, and encouraging men to seek safe, professional medical support.

The campaign, launched during a high-level pan-African webinar attended by healthcare professionals, policymakers, media, and men's health advocates from across Africa, spotlighted the widespread prevalence of ED and its profound impact on men's physical, emotional, and relational well-being. 

Erectile dysfunction remains a growing public health issue and is often a sign of broader health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, depression and anxiety.

An article published in the British Journal of Urology International (BJUI) estimates that ED will affect 322 million men globally by 2025.

In Africa, the situation is particularly concerning. In Nigeria, a 2016 study published in the Pan African Medical Journal reported community-based ED prevalence rates ranging from 43.8 per cent to 58.9 per cent while hospital-based studies especially among men with chronic conditions show even higher rates between 41.5 per cent and 65.8 per cent.

National Centre for Biotechnology Information states that risk factors for sexual dysfunction across the country reported prevalence rates between 10 per cent to more than 90 per cent among men aged 40 to 70 years with prevalence rates rising with advancement in age.

The prevalence of ED in hypertensive populations is higher, and has been reported to be more than double in men with hypertension when compared with age-matched normotensive men after controlling for other factors.

Across the continent, it is alarmingly estimated that 85 per cent of men living with erectile dysfunction do not seek treatment.

Speaking at the launch, Arvind Kanda, Head of India and Access Markets (ARVs, India, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa), Viatris, said, "The stigma surrounding erectile dysfunction often prevents men from seeking the medical attention they need and deserve.

“Through the EmpowerED for Life campaign, we are not only promoting awareness but also advocating for empathy, evidence-based care, and the normalization of open dialogue,” said Kanda, adding, “At Viatris, our mission is to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, and that includes providing solutions to support men across Africa access information and healthcare they need to thrive."

Kanda said the campaign is built around four strategic pillars of Awareness, Education, Engagement, and Empowerment, with the ultimate goal of reducing stigma, improving access to care, and strengthening the role of healthcare professionals in men’s sexual health.

Doctor Nnabugwu Ikenna Ifeanyi, Associate Professor of Surgery Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus said ED is not just a condition that affects a man’s ability to perform sexually; it often reflects underlying health problems and can severely impact self-esteem, relationships, and quality of life.

“Unfortunately, in many African societies, myths, cultural taboos, and a lack of access to trained specialists contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Campaigns like EmpowerED for Life are vital to breaking these barriers and bringing men back into care,” he said.

The campaign also seeks to address the widespread use of unregulated treatments for ED, which pose significant risks to men’s health.