III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 142 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 9, 2009 Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Supporting National Men’s Health Week.

Whereas despite the advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of almost 6 fewer years than women and African-American men have the lowest life expectancy; Whereas 9 of the 10 leading causes of death, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affect men at a higher percentage than women; Whereas between the ages of 45 and 54, men are 3 times more likely than women to die of heart attacks; Whereas men die of heart disease at almost twice the rate of women; Whereas men die of cancer at almost one and a half times the rate of women; Whereas testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men between the ages of 15 and 34, and when detected early, has a 95 percent survival rate; Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men was almost 54,000 in 2008, and almost half of such men died from the disease; Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 6; Whereas the number of men contracting prostate cancer reached over 186,000 in 2008, and almost 29,000 of such men died from the disease; Whereas African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence in the world of prostate cancer; 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 more than one-half the elderly widows now living in poverty were not poor before the death of their husbands, and by age 100 women outnumber men 8 to 1; 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, and cholesterol screens, 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 women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men; Whereas men are less likely than women to visit their health center or physician for regular screening examinations of male-related problems for a variety of reasons, including fear, lack of health insurance, lack of information, and cost factors; Whereas National Men’s Health Week was established by Congress and first celebrated in 1994 and urged men and their families to engage in appropriate health behaviors, and the resulting increased awareness has improved health-related education and helped prevent illness; Whereas the Governors of over 45 States issue proclamations annually declaring Men’s Health Week in their States; Whereas since 1994, National Men’s Health Week has been celebrated each June by dozens of States, cities, localities, public health departments, health care entities, churches, and community organizations throughout the Nation, that promote health awareness events focused on men and family; Whereas the National Men’s Health Week website has been established at www.menshealthweek.org and features Governors’ proclamations and National Men’s Health Week events; Whereas men who are educated about the value that preventive health can play in prolonging their lifespan and their role as productive family members will be more likely to participate in health screenings; Whereas men and their families are encouraged to increase their awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and medical checkups; and Whereas June 15 through 21, 2009, is National Men’s Health Week, which has the purpose of heightening the awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)supports the annual National Men’s Health Week; and (2)requests that the President of the United States issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States and interested groups to observe National Men’s Health Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Passed the House of Representatives July 8, 2009. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.