108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 208
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting National Men’s Health Week.
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 208
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas, despite the advances in medical technology and re-
search, men continue to live an average of six years less
than women, and African-American men have the lowest
life expectancy;
Whereas all ten of the ten leading causes of death, as defined
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affect
men more than women;
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Whereas between ages 45–54, men are three times more like-
ly 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 an 87
percent survival rate;
Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men will
reach over 72,000 in 2003, and over one-third will die
from the disease;
Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate can-
cer is 1 in 6;
Whereas the number of men contracting prostate cancer will
reach over 220,000 in 2003, and almost 29,000 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 cho-
lesterol 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 doc-
tor for annual examinations and preventive services than
men;
Whereas many men are reluctant 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 in and first celebrated in 1994 and urged men
and their families to engage in appropriate health behav-
iors, and the resulting increased awareness has improved
health-related education and helped prevent illness;
Whereas the Governors of over 45 States issue proclamations
declaring Men’s Health Week in their States;
Whereas, since 1994, National Men’s Health Week has been
celebrated each June by dozens of corporations, public
health departments, health care entities, churches, and
community organizations, as well as many States, cities,
and localities 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
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Governors’ proclamations and National Men’s Health
Week events;
Whereas men who are educated about the value that preven-
tive health can play in prolonging their lifespans and
their role as productive family members will be more like-
ly 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 check-ups; and
Whereas June 9 through 15, 2003, is National Men’s Health
Week, which has the purpose of heightening the aware-
ness 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 National Men’s
Health Week; and
(2) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation calling upon the people of the United States
and interested groups to observe National Men’s
Health Week with appropriate ceremonies and ac-
tivities.
Passed the House of Representatives July 16, 2003.
Attest:
Clerk.