[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 490 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 490

  Supporting the designation of the week of June 12 through June 18, 
                2023, as ``National Men's Health Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 9, 2023

Mr. Payne (for himself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Carson, Mr. Doggett, 
  Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mrs. 
Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, 
   Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Lieu, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. 
Evans, and Mr. Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was 
       referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the designation of the week of June 12 through June 18, 
                2023, as ``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 American 
        Indian/Alaska Native and African-American men have the lowest life 
        expectancy;
Whereas heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and unintentional injuries, according 
        to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead to death in men 
        at a higher percentage than women;
Whereas suicide is among the top 10 causes of death for men, 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 2022, 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 268,490 men will 
        be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, and an estimated 34,500 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 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with, and 
        2.1 times more likely to die from, prostate cancer than 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 (PSA) 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 increases in the survival rates to nearly 100 percent;
Whereas, according to the 2019 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 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 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 annually 
        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 the ``National Men's Health Week'' website has been established at 
        www.menshealthmonth.org and features proclamations from Governors and 
        mayors, and ``National Men's Health Week'' events;
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 12 through June 18, 2023, 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the annual ``National Men's Health Week''; 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 Week'' with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>