[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 501 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 501

                 Supporting National Men's Health Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 20, 2012

Mr. Crapo submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 more than 1\1/2\ 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 50,000 
        in 2012, and more than half 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 who develop prostate cancer in 2012 is expected to 
        reach more than 241,740, and an estimated 28,170 of those men will die 
        from the disease;
Whereas African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence 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 awareness among men of those 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 by a ratio of 4 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 those diseases;
Whereas appropriate use of tests such as prostate specific antigen 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 those problems in their early stages 
        and increase the survival rates to nearly 100 percent;
Whereas women are 2 times more likely than men to visit their doctors for annual 
        examinations and preventive services;
Whereas men are less likely than women to visit their health centers or 
        physicians for regular screening examinations of male-related problems 
        for a variety of reasons;
Whereas Congress established National Men's Health Week 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 all 50 States issue proclamations annually declaring 
        Men's Health Week in their respective 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 
        United States 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 lifespans and their roles 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;
Whereas June 11 through 17, 2012, is National Men's Health Week; and
Whereas the purpose of National Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness 
        of preventable health problems and encourage 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; 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>