[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 30665-30666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14721]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 15, 1994]




                        Presidential Documents 



                Proclamation 6700 of June 10, 1994

 

National Men's Health Week, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As this great country moves forward in its commitment 
                to address the many concerns related to the delivery of 
                health care, we set aside this week to give special 
                attention to those issues that affect the health of 
                American men. We have made enormous progress in medical 
                technology and research, yet the goal of extending 
                human life expectancy will not be fully realized until 
                information on prevention, detection, and treatment of 
                disease reaches all men and is used by all men.

                Tobacco use is the single most important preventable 
                cause of death in the United States, and currently 24 
                million American men smoke. It is a major risk factor 
                for diseases of the heart and lungs and doubles the 
                risk of stroke among men. The risk of dying from lung 
                cancer is 22 times higher for men who smoke. Those who 
                continue to smoke place themselves and those around 
                them at great peril. It is imperative for this country 
                to focus its efforts on eliminating the use of tobacco 
                products through education and treatment programs.

                In the past decade, public awareness has also been 
                increased regarding the dangers of alcohol consumption 
                and its impact on the health of American men. Alcohol 
                abuse is, more frequently than not, a related factor in 
                motor vehicle fatalities, homicides, and suicides. It 
                is becoming a special problem for the young men in this 
                country. Let us not falter in our progress--the time 
                has come for us to demand better access to treatment 
                programs, stronger and better enforced laws related to 
                drunk driving, policies to reduce minors' access to 
                alcohol, and greater involvement of primary care 
                providers in dealing with this problem.

                Among older men, prostate cancer is a serious enemy. It 
                is estimated that in 1994, in America alone, prostate 
                cancer will affect 200,000 men, and 38,000 will die. 
                Prostate cancer strikes men almost as often as breast 
                cancer strikes women, yet reluctance to discuss this 
                disease has left its research largely under funded. 
                However, what we do know gives us hope. In addition to 
                physical detection, doctors can now use a blood test to 
                determine the presence of this cancer. Furthermore, 
                there are several available forms of effective 
                treatment. We must ensure that all men over the age of 
                50 have access to screening for and treatment of this 
                disease, while we simultaneously push for affordable 
                medical care for all Americans.

                Even in the face of better, more accessible detection 
                and prevention programs, we need men to recognize and 
                adopt healthier lifestyles. No health care policy can 
                replace the benefits that American men would reap from 
                this change.

                The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 179, has 
                designated the week of June 12 through June 19, 1994, 
                as ``National Men's Health Week'' and has authorized 
                and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of this week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week 
                of June 12, 1994, as National Men's Health Week. I 
                invite the Governors of the 50 States and the 
                Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Mayor of the District 
                of Columbia, and the appropriate officials of all other 
                areas under the American flag to issue similar 
                proclamations. I also ask health care professionals, 
                private industry, community groups, insurance 
                companies, and all other interested organizations and 
                individual citizens to unite to publicly reaffirm our 
                Nation's continuing commitment to men's health.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and 
                eighteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-14721
Filed 6-13-94; 3:36 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P