[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1325 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1325

  Supporting the designation of the month of June 2024, as ``National 
                         Men's Health Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 27, 2024

 Mr. Carter of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Grothman, and 
Mr. Lieu) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
               Committee on Oversight and Accountability

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the designation of the month of June 2024, as ``National 
                         Men's Health Month''.

Whereas, despite advances in medical technology and research, American men now 
        live an average of nearly 6 years less than women, and American Indian/
        Alaska Native and African-American men have the lowest life expectancy;
Whereas heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, diabetes, chronic lower 
        respiratory diseases, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, influenza and 
        pneumonia, and Parkinson's disease according to the Centers for Disease 
        Control and Prevention, lead to death in men at a higher age-adjusted 
        rate than women;
Whereas the Lifespan Gender Gap grew through most of the 20th Century from less 
        than 2 years to 7.7 years before peaking in 1979 and then declining to 
        4.7 years in 2010 (a reduction of three full years) before increasing to 
        5.8 years in the most recent reports (an increase of more than one full 
        year);
Whereas the rise, fall and rise again of the Lifespan Gender Gap show that the 
        gap does respond to public policy and public education and that there is 
        nothing inevitable or inexorable about the premature death of men;
Whereas suicide is among the top 10 causes of death for men, with an overall 
        rate nearly 4 times higher than the rate for women and ranks as the 
        second highest cause of death for men in 2 age groups, from ages 1 
        through 19 and ages 20 through 44;
Whereas men on average experience a heart attack 7 years earlier than 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, according to the American Cancer Society, the number of colorectal 
        cancer cases among men is expected to be over 80,000 in 2024, and over 
        28,320 men are expected to die from it;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 out of 
        every 100 American men will develop prostate cancer during their 
        lifetime;
Whereas, according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 299,010 men will 
        be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024, and an estimated 35,250 of 
        them will die from the disease;
Whereas African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence of 
        prostate cancer;
Whereas African-American men are 1.76 times more likely to be diagnosed with, 
        and 2.20 times more likely to die from, prostate cancer compared to 
        White men;
Whereas significant numbers of predominantly male-related health problems, such 
        as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, 
        could be detected and treated in the early stages if men were more 
        widely aware of the many early detection and screening tools and 
        preventive measures currently available;
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 and 
        blood pressure 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 proper treatment can nearly eliminate the risk of death from 
        prostate cancer and testicular cancer;
Whereas, according to the most widely cited study, the Cleveland Clinic MENtion 
        It Survey, two-thirds (65 percent) of men tend to wait as long as 
        possible to see their doctor if they have any health symptoms or an 
        injury, and among men surveyed, men ages 35 to 54 are more likely to 
        agree they tend to tough it out as long as possible before going to the 
        doctor (72 percent), compared to men 55 and up (59 percent);
Whereas women are nearly twice as likely as men to have visited the doctor in 
        the past year;
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 of learning or confirming health 
        status or condition, embarrassment, lack of health insurance, lack of 
        information, and high out-of-pockets costs;
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 of over 350 cities;
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 
        families;
Whereas men who are educated about the value that preventive health care 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 2024, is ``National Men's Health Month'', 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the annual ``National Men's Health Month''; 
        and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
        groups to observe ``National Men's Health Month'' with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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