III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 173 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 11/2 times the rate of women; Whereas men die of cancer at almost 11/2 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

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.