III 

110TH CONGRESS 

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; 


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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; 


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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 


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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 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That— 

3 (1) the Congress supports the annual National 

4 Men’s Health Week; and 

5 (2) requests that the President of the United 

6 States issue a proclamation calling upon the people 

7 of the United States and interested groups to ob8 serve National Men’s Health Week with appropriate 

9 ceremonies and activities. 

Passed the House of Representatives June 3, 2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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