[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 179 Referred in House (RFH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. J. RES. 179


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 12, 1994

       Referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
To designate the week of June 12 through 19, 1994, as ``National Men's 
                             Health Week''.

Whereas despite the advances in medical technology and research, men continue to 
        live an average of 7 years less than women;
Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 11;
Whereas the number of men contracting prostate cancer will reach over 120,000 in 
        1993, with an expected one-third of the cases to die from the disease;
Whereas testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men aged 15-34, 
        and when detected early, has an 87 percent survival rate;
Whereas the number of men contracting lung disease will reach over 100,000 in 
        1993, with an expected 85 percent of the cases to die from the disease;
Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men will reach over 80,000 in 
        1993; with nearly one-third of the cases to die from the disease;
Whereas the death rate for prostate cancer has grown at almost twice the death 
        rate of breast cancer in the last five years;
Whereas African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence in 
        the world of cancer of the prostate;
Whereas men are seven times as likely as women to be arrested for drunk driving 
        and three times as likely to be alcoholics;
Whereas women visit the doctor 150 percent as often as men, enabling them to 
        detect health problems in their early stages;
Whereas significant numbers of male related health problems such as prostate 
        cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, could be 
        detected and treated if men's awareness of these problems was more 
        pervasive;
Whereas educating both the public and health care providers about the importance 
        of early detection of male health problems will result in reducing rates 
        of mortality for these diseases;
Whereas appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exams, 
        blood pressure screens, cholesterol screens, etc., in conjunction with 
        clinical examination and self-testing for problems such as testicular 
        cancer can result in the detection of many of these problems in their 
        early stages and increases in the survival rates to nearly 100 percent;
Whereas many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physician for 
        regular screening examinations of male related problems for a variety of 
        reasons including fear, lack of information, and cost factors; and
Whereas men who are educated about the value that preventive health can play in 
        prolonging their lifespan and their role as a productive family member 
        will be more likely to participate in health screenings: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That June 12 through 19, 1994, 
is designated as National Men's Health Week, and the President is 
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate 
programs and activities.

            Passed the Senate March 26 (legislative day, February 22), 
      1994.

            Attest:

                                                     WALTER J. STEWART,

                                                             Secretary.