III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 288 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 23, 2010 

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 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; 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
2 

HCON 288 RFS 

Whereas between the ages of 45 and 54, men are 11⁄2 times 

more likely than women to die of heart attacks; 

Whereas men die of heart disease at 11⁄2 times the rate of 

women; 

Whereas men die of cancer at almost 11⁄2 times the rate of 

women; 

Whereas testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers 

in men between the ages of 15 and 34, and when detected early, has a 96 percent survival rate; 

Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men was 

almost 49,470 in 2010, and almost half of such men died 

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 

2010 will reach more than 217,730 and an estimated 

32,050 of them will die from the disease; 

Whereas African-American men in the United States have the 

highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world; 

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 such problems was more pervasive; 

Whereas 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 4 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; 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
3 

HCON 288 RFS 

Whereas appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific 

Antigen (PSA) exams and blood pressure and cholesterol 

screens, in conjunction with clinical examination and selftesting 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 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 and first celebrated 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 all 50 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 Web site has been 

established at www.menshealthweek.org and features 

Governors’ proclamations and National Men’s Health 

Week events; 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
4 

HCON 288 RFS 

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 14 through June 20, 2010, 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 Congress— 

3 (1) supports the annual National Men’s Health 

4 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 22, 2010. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS