[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 138 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 138
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 4, 2008
Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting National Men's Health Week.
Whereas despite the advances in medical technology and research, men continue to
live an average of almost 6 years less than women and African-American
men have the lowest life expectancy;
Whereas all 10 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 45-54, men are 3 times more likely than women to die of
heart attacks;
Whereas men die of heart disease at almost twice the rate of women;
Whereas men die of cancer at almost one and a half times the rate of women;
Whereas testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men aged 15-34,
and when detected early, has a 95 percent survival rate;
Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men will reach over 55,000 in
2007, and almost half will die from the disease;
Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 6;
Whereas the number of men contracting prostate cancer will reach over 218,890 in
2007, and almost 27,050 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 male-related health problems, such as prostate
cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, could be
detected and treated if men's awareness of these problems was more
pervasive;
Whereas more than one-half 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 (PSA) exams,
blood pressure screens, 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 women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual
examinations and preventive services than men;
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 urged 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 over 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 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 9 through 15, 2008, 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--
(1) the Congress 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.
Passed the House of Representatives June 3, 2008.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.