[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 173 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 173

                 Supporting National Men's Health Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 9, 2009

Mr. Crapo submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
          Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                 Supporting National Men's Health Week.

Whereas despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to 
        live an average of more than 5 years less 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 ages 45 and 54, men are 3 times more likely than women to die of 
        heart attacks;
Whereas men die of heart disease at 1\1/2\ times the rate of women;
Whereas men die of cancer at almost 1\1/2\ times the rate of women;
Whereas testicular cancer is 1 of the most common cancers in men aged 15 to 34, 
        and when detected early, has a 96 percent survival rate;
Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men will reach almost 75,590 
        in 2009, and almost \1/2\ of those men will die from the disease;
Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 6;
Whereas the number of men developing prostate cancer in 2009 will reach more 
        than 192,280, and an estimated 27,360 of them will die 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 health problems that affect men, such as prostate 
        cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer, and infertility, could be 
        detected and treated if men's awareness of such problems was more 
        pervasive;
Whereas more than \1/2\ of 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 exams, blood 
        pressure screenings, and cholesterol screenings, in conjunction with 
        clinical examination and self-testing for problems such as testicular 
        cancer, can result in the detection of many problems in their early 
        stages and increase the survival rates to nearly 100 percent;
Whereas women are twice as likely as men to visit the doctor for annual 
        examinations and preventive services;
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 in 1994 and urges 
        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 more than 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 Internet 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 June 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the annual National Men's Health Week in 2009; 
        and
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States and 
        interested groups to observe National Men's Health Week with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>