Supporting National Men's Health Week.

I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. My appreciation also goes out to Chairman Towns for moving this resolution recognizing National Men's Health Week through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

This past Sunday, many of us celebrated Father's Day, which also marked the end of National Men's Health Week that is celebrated from June 14 through June 20. The need for this legislation could not be more evident. 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 of all groups.

Further, 9 out of the 10 leading causes of death, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affect men at a higher percentage rate than women. Men simply are not getting the care they need. Women are twice as likely as men to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services.

By the way, the research shows that most men who are the beneficiaries of early diagnosis and treatment with regard to many, many diseases have been urged to go to the doctor by a woman in their life, a significant other, a sister, a wife. But women are quite often the ones who also make the decisions for the family and sometimes drag us men to the doctor's office kicking and screaming.

Men are also less likely than women to visit their health center or physician for regular screening examinations or gender-related problems for a variety of reasons, including fear, lack of health insurance, lack of information, and cost factors. Quite often, men believe in this macho concept that they can get over anything, that it's just a small thing. Although their heart is aching, they say, well, I will get over it and everything will be all right. And the next thing you know, he lands in the hospital or, sadly, lands in the cemetery.

The disparity in men's health has led to increased risks of death from heart disease and cancer. But these problems do not only affect men. More than half of the elderly widows now living in poverty were not poor before the death of their husbands. And by age 100, women outnumber men four to one.

We simply must get more men the early care and education they need to lead long and healthy lives. That is why I am advocating for the recognition of June 14 through 20 as National Men's Health Week. We need to educate both the public and health care providers about the importance of early detection of male health problems that will result in reducing rates of mortality for common diseases.

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 of these problems in their early stages and increases in their survival rates to nearly 100 percent.

The number of men developing prostate cancer in 2010 will reach more than 217,000, and an estimated 32,000 of them will, sadly, die from this disease. This week is designed to encourage men and their families to engage in appropriate health behaviors, and the resulting increased awareness has improved health-related education and helped prevent illness.

National Men's Health Week was established by Congress in 1994. And on a more local note, just a few weeks ago I invited men to come in to Mercy Hospital in my district in downtown Baltimore to get prostate exams. I also invited women to come in to get mammograms. I just received a report today that of the 100 or so people that came in, 20 percent of them, 20 percent of them were in a position where they needed care, and if they did not get the care, it probably would have led to very, very, very serious debilitating circumstances or even death. So that's a perfect example of why we need to emphasize men's health and, by the way, women's health.

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 preventive care. One of the things that a lot of people don't think about is the fact that there are many men, if they simply took the precautions, if they simply got the exams, they would be around for a lot more Father's Days. And a lot of folks don't realize that to have loved ones around for many, many years is so very, very significant, and, as the commercial says, it is simply priceless.

Again, I want to thank Chairman Towns and Chairman Davis for their support, and I encourage my colleagues to join me and the 60 other cosponsors in supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 288) supporting National Men's Health Week.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Concurrent Resolution 288 for consideration. This resolution expresses our support for the goals and ideals of the annual National Men's Health Week, the observance of which is designed to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men.

H. Con. Res. 288 was introduced by my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), on June 14, 2010. It was reported out of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by unanimous consent on June 17, 2010. H. Con. Res. 288 enjoys bipartisan support from over 50 cosponsors.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 of the 10 leading causes of death in America among men, including heart disease and cancer, affect men at a significantly higher percentage than women. In addition, the CDC has reported that women are 100 percent more likely than men to seek annual medical examinations and preventative health care. Moreover, health statistics also indicate that despite advances in medical care, men continue to live an average of approximately 6 fewer years than women, with African American men having the lowest life expectancy.

Nonetheless, many male-related health problems, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and colon cancer are treatable upon early detection. Specifically, the use of prostate cancer-specific antigen exams, blood pressure screenings, and other exams, when coupled with clinical examination and self-testing for testicular cancer, can lead to early detection and increase survival rates to nearly 100 percent.

Accordingly, we must do more to encourage healthy behavior and disease prevention within America's male population. A more concentrated focus upon male-related health conditions such as prostate, colon, and testicular cancer, along with a genuine commitment to addressing heart health, will go a long way toward ensuring that men have access to critical health information.

In addition, it is important to remember that prevention and treatment of men's health conditions are critical not only to men, but also to the health and well-being of the American family. Having just recently celebrated Father's Day, I believe that it is important for this legislative body to recognize men's health from a family perspective.

Furthermore, while an effort to encourage prevention and wellness among the male population can help meet our primary goal of improving health outcomes, in the aggregate, utilization of these preventive services can lower health costs that currently are spiraling out of control.

Mr. Speaker, since 1994, National Men's Health Week has served as a catalyst for increased attention towards men's health issues. So I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 288, recognizing the tremendous importance of these efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it's now my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the author of this resolution, the very distinguished gentleman from Maryland, Representative Elijah Cummings.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend, again, Representative Cummings for his introduction of this very important resolution. I also want to commend the community health centers in my congressional district, and especially the Near North Health Corporation, for their focus on men's health.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Representative Cummings for introducing H. Con. Res. 288, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Men's Health Week, and to urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

National Men's Health Week took place from June 14-20, ending with Father's Day, this past Sunday. The United States celebrated National Men's Health Week to encourage men to live healthy lives, in particular by undergoing precautionary health tests. National Men's Health Week is of vital importance as it helps heighten awareness of preventable health problems and also encourages early detection and treatment of disease and injury among not only men, but young boys as well. Early detection lessens the impact and cost of disease, improves, and often save lives. By encouraging preventive National Men's Health Week and treatment of men's health issues is essential because these issues not only affect men across the nation, but the women, children and all other families members involved in a man's life.

The lessons of Men's Health Week have a personal significance for me. Nearly 20 years ago, I went in for a check-up due to constant fatigue and found out that I had Hepatitis C. Thanks, in part, to early detection, I was able to get proper treatment and fight back fiercely against the disease. I am able to stand here now, medication-free and healthy, because of early detection and treatment.

Today, thanks to this Congress, everyone in the United States-- including men--have access to affordable health. The health reform law that I supported provides incentives to seek preventive care and makes that care affordable. I urge my male colleagues in Congress and men around the country to see their doctor for regular check-ups, to get screened and tested, and to do what they can to live healthier lives.

I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution which encourages men to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 288, supporting National Men's Health Week. In 1994, Congress established National Men's Health Awareness Week to be celebrated the week leading up to Father's Day. This week brings national attention to the critical health issues facing men and highlights the preventative measures that are necessary and available.

Every day men are reminded about the benefits of living a healthy life. Whether it's through exercise, a balanced diet, or regular visits to the doctor, these simple steps can lead to long, vibrant lives. Sadly, many men still neglect the basic preventative measures and often fail to realize the ripple effect their declining health can have on those around them.

Men have a shorter lifespan than women. On average, men live 5 years less than women. Men are also 1\1/2\ times more likely to die from heart attacks, heart disease, and cancer than

women. The reality is that men all too often neglect to seek out the medical initiatives they need. Early detection is vital and, in many cases, increases the chances for survival.

Men's Health Awareness Week helps bring this information to light and highlights the proactive steps that men can take to improve their chances for a long, healthy life. The benefits of a more proactive approach to men's health extends not only to the individual, but to their family, friends, taxpayers, and employers.

I urge my colleagues not only to support this resolution but honor its message. Men's Health Awareness Week helps broaden our understanding of serious health risks and the simple steps we can all take to help mitigate their effects.

I ask my fellow Members to join me in support of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is well known that one of the most important factors in access to medical care is health insurance. Recent Center of Disease Control and Prevention data show that young men are 36 percent more likely to be uninsured than young women. Additionally, young adults without insurance are four times as likely as those with private insurance to have unmet medical needs.

However, even when young men have insurance, they are less likely to seek medical care. Less than 60 percent of young men with Medicaid coverage had an annual doctor visit, compared to over 90 percent of young women. These behavior patterns can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention in a number of medical conditions and chronic illnesses, especially those that are exclusive to or disproportionally effect men.

Beyond expanding health insurance coverage, therefore, it is necessary to improve men's uptake of healthcare services. The first step towards this goal is to increase awareness about men's health issues. I applaud the current resolution in support of National Men's Health Week, as well as the request that interested groups observe with appropriate ceremonies and activities. By educating men about the available predictive screening and preventive care, we can help our nation's fathers, husbands, brothers and sons to live longer, healthier lives.