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EmpowerED for Life will shift the narrative around Erectile Dysfunction (ED) from stigma to support by fostering open conversations, promoting accurate information, and advocating for early diagnosis and proper treatment.
ED is often a sign of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, depression, and anxiety, making it a key indicator of broader health issues.
Johannesburg, South Africa, August 12, 2025,Viatris, a global healthcare company with a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, has today launched its EmpowerED for Life campaign across key African countries. The initiative is aimed at raising awareness of Erectile Dysfunction (ED), breaking the stigma around men’s health, and encouraging men to seek safe, professional medical support.
The EmpowerED for Life campaign seeks to shift the narrative around ED from stigma to support by fostering open conversations, promoting accurate information, and advocating for early diagnosis and proper treatment. 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 (ED) is 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 2025ᶦ. 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% to 58.9% while hospital-based studies, especially among men with chronic conditions, show even higher rates between 41.5% and 65.8%ᶦᶦ. In Ghana, an estimated 65.9% of men from a young age are affected by ED according to a 2010 study published in the International Journal of Impotence Researchᶦᶦᶦ. Alarmingly, it is estimated that 85% of men living with ED across Africa do not seek treatmentᶦᵛ.
Speaking at the launch, Arvind Kanda, Head of India & 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. 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 to access the information and healthcare they need to thrive.”
The EmpowerED for Life campaign will roll out in Nigeria, Kenya, 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.
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.
According to Dr. Shingai Mutambirwa, Head of the Urology Department, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), South Africa, “Erectile dysfunction is often dismissed as merely a performance issue or a private matter, yet it can be an early warning sign of serious health concerns like cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Recognizing and addressing ED early allows us to intervene before complications arise. The EmpowerED for Life campaign is an important step in breaking the silence, challenging stigma, and connecting men to the care they need. It’s time we stop treating ED as a taboo and start viewing it as a gateway to better overall health for men across Africa.”
The campaign also seeks to address the widespread use of unregulated treatments for ED, which pose significant risks to men’s health. Through this campaign, Viatris reaffirms its commitment to advancing health equity and empowering patients by spotlighting a critical yet often overlooked aspect of men’s health. Together, we can ensure no man suffers in silence, and we can pave the way for a healthier future for men across Africa.
ᶦ Ayta I A McKinlay J B & Krane R J (1999) The likely worldwide increase in erectile dysfunction between 1995 and 2025 and some possible policy consequences British Journal of Urology International 84(1) 50–56 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.00142.x
ᶦᶦ Olugbenga B A et al (2016) Erectile dysfunction among hypertensive and diabetic men in a primary care clinic in Nigeria Pan African Medical Journal 24(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5012735/
ᶦᶦᶦ Amidu, N., Owiredu, W. K. B., Woode, E., Addai‑Mensah, O., Gyasi‑Sarpong, K. C., & Alhassan, A. (2010). Prevalence of male sexual dysfunction among the Ghanaian populace: myth or reality. International Journal of Impotence Research, 22(3), 337–342. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2010.24
ᶦᵛ Prostate Conditions Education Council. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Retrieved from https://www.prostateconditions.org/about-prostate-conditions/prostate-health-conditions/erectile-dysfunction
About EmpowerED for Life
EmpowerED for Life is a Viatris-led pan-African awareness campaign committed to transforming how erectile dysfunction (ED) is understood and addressed. The campaign aims to normalize conversations around ED, promote safe and professional treatment options, and empower men to seek help without shame or fear. Built on four pillars — Awareness, Education, Engagement, and Empowerment, EmpowerED for Life brings together medical professionals, policymakers, media, community voices, and men themselves in a united effort to reduce stigma, encouraging proactive health choices and promoting access to regulated care.
About Viatris
Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq: VTRS) is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address global healthcare needs. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients globally each year, touching all of life’s moments from birth to the end of life, and from acute conditions to chronic diseases.
With our exceptionally extensive and diverse portfolio of medicines, a one-of-a-kind global supply chain designed to reach more people when and where they need them, and the scientific expertise to address some of the world’s most enduring health challenges, access takes on deep meaning at Viatris. We are headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai, and Hyderabad, India. Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
