[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 137 Introduced in House (IH)]

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114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 137

                 Supporting National Men's Health Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 15, 2016

    Mr. Payne (for himself and Mr. Mullin) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
                 Supporting National Men's Health Week.

Whereas despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to 
        live an average of 5 years less than women, and American Indian/Alaska 
        Native 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 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 testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men between the 
        ages of 15 and 34, and when detected early, has a 96-percent survival 
        rate;
Whereas the number of cases of colon and rectum cancer among men is expected to 
        be almost 70,820 in 2016, and over 26,000 men are expected to die from 
        the disease;
Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 7;
Whereas the number of men developing prostate cancer in 2016 will reach more 
        than 180,000 and an estimated 26,120 of them will die from the disease;
Whereas African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in 
        the United States;
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 such problems were more 
        pervasive;
Whereas more than half of the elderly widows now living in poverty were not poor 
        before the death of their husbands;
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 detecting many health problems early with appropriate use of Prostate 
        Specific Antigen (PSA) exams, blood pressure and cholesterol screens, 
        and testicular cancer self exams, in conjunction with clinical 
        examination, can increase 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 and first 
        celebrated 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 all 50 States have issued proclamations declaring Men's 
        Health Week in their States, as have Mayors and Administrators of over 
        100 cities and communities, together with tribal leaders and other 
        American Indian and Alaska Native groups;
Whereas since 1994, National Men's Health Week has been celebrated each June by 
        hundreds 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 Web site has been established at 
        www.menshealthweek.org and features proclamations from Governors, 
        Mayors, and tribal leaders, as well as a variety of resources;
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 13 through June 19, 2016, 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 by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
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.
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