Congressman Troy Carter Introduces Men’s Health Month Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, announced the introduction of a bipartisan House Resolution in recognition of National Men’s Health Month. This resolution will encourage men to set an example for their families by engaging in preventative health care.
“National Men’s Health Month encourages men to take proactive steps towards their health, setting a positive example for their families,” said Rep. Carter. “This effort plays a vital role in addressing the alarming statistic that men lead in nine of the top ten causes of death and have a lifespan nearly six years shorter than women. By highlighting the significance of routine medical check-ups and early disease detection, this initiative serves not only to improve men's health outcomes but also to support the well-being of the women who care for them and the employers who depend on their productivity.”
"As life expectancy for men in the United States is at its lowest point since 1996, it is important to bring attention to the issue of men’s health and look for ways we can help people live longer, healthier lives,” said Rep. Grothman (R-WI). “I appreciate that the Men’s Health Caucus is taking steps to address problems and raise awareness in a bipartisan manner."
“June is National Men’s Mental Health Month! As Vice Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I join my colleagues in raising awareness on issues impacting men’s health,” said Rep. Lieu (D-CA). “This month, I am thinking of our late colleague Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., who was the Chairman of the Men’s Health Caucus and a tireless advocate for men’s health issues. In his memory, we remain committed to ensuring men across the country have access to health information and quality comprehensive care. I am no stranger to health concerns—in 2019, I had a partial blockage in a heart vessel and, thanks to the excellent medical care I received, I have fully recovered. National Men’s Health Month is a critical reminder that all men should have the same opportunities to heed early warning signs of health issues and seek the care that they need.”
“It’s on each and every one of us to break the stigma around men’s health and encourage our friends, family, and neighbors to take their health and wellness seriously,” said Rep. Menendez (D-NJ). “As Vice Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues in raising this important issue in Congress and am committed to doing what I can to increase access to quality, affordable healthcare and preventive screenings for all Americans.”
The full text of the resolution is below, and you can read it here.
“Supporting the designation of the month of June 2024, as ‘‘National Men’s Health Month’’.
Whereas despite advances in medical technology and re- search, American men now live an average of nearly 6 years less than women, and American Indian/Alaska Native and African American men have the lowest life expectancy;
Whereas heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory diseases, chronic liver dis- ease and cirrhosis, influenza and pneumonia, and Parkin- son’s disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead to death in men at a higher age-adjusted rate than women;
Whereas the Lifespan Gender Gap grew through most of the 20th Century from less than 2 years to 7.7 years before peaking in 1979 and then declining to 4.7 years in 2010 (a reduction of three full years) before increasing to 5.8 years in the most recent reports (an increase of more than one full year);
Whereas the rise, fall and rise again of the Lifespan Gender Gap show that the gap does respond to public policy and public education and that there is nothing inevitable or inexorable about the premature death of men;
Whereas suicide is among the top 10 causes of death for men, with an overall rate nearly 4 times higher than the rate for women and ranks as the second highest cause of death for men in 2 age groups, from ages 1 through 19 and ages 20 through 44;
Whereas men on average experience a heart attack 7 years earlier than 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 95-percent survival rate;
Whereas according to the American Cancer Society, the number of colorectal cancer cases among men is expected to be over 80,000 in 2024, and over 28,320 men are expected to die from it;
Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 out of every 100 American men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime;
Whereas according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 299,010 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024, and an estimated 35,250 of them will die from the disease;
Whereas African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence of prostate cancer;
Whereas African-American men are 1.76 times more likely to be diagnosed with, and 2.20 times more likely to die from, prostate cancer compared to White men;
Whereas significant numbers of predominantly male-related health problems, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, could be detected and treated in the early stages if men were more widely aware of the many early detection and screening tools and preventive measures currently available;
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 exams and blood pressure 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 proper treatment can nearly eliminate the risk of death from prostate cancer and testicular cancer;
Whereas according to the most widely cited study, the Cleveland Clinic MENtion It Survey, two-thirds (65 percent) of men tend to wait as long as possible to see their doctor if they have any health symptoms or an injury, and among men surveyed, men ages 35 to 54 are more likely to agree they tend to tough it out as long as possible be- fore going to the doctor (72 percent), compared to men 55 and up (59 percent);
Whereas women are nearly twice as likely as men to have visited the doctor in the past year;
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 of learning or confirming health status or condition, embarrassment, lack of health insurance, lack of information, and high out-of-pockets costs;
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 have issued proclamations declaring Men’s Health Week in their States, as have mayors of over 350 cities;
Whereas since 1994, ‘‘National Men’s Health Week’’ has been celebrated each June by hundreds 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 families;
Whereas men who are educated about the value that preventive health care 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 2024, is ‘‘National Men’s Health Month’’, 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, That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the annual ‘‘National Men’s Health Month’’; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States and interested groups to observe ‘‘National Men’s Health Month’’ with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
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