[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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      SENATE RESOLUTION 173--SUPPORTING NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK

  Mr. CRAPO submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 173

       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 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 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
       Resolved, 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.

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