Men's Health Week

maleficent · #1 (**permalink**) June 12th, 2007, 07:53 AM

NMHW National Men's Health Week
Goal of Men's Health Week

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with hundreds of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NMHW 2004
The joint resolution (S.J. Res 179), with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. J. Res. 179

Whereas despite the advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of 7 years less than women;
Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 11;
Whereas the number of men contacting prostate cancer will reach over 120,000 in 1993, with an expected one-third of the cases to die from the disease;
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 men contracting lung disease will reach over 100,000 in 1993, with an expected 85 percent of the cases to die from the disease;
Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men will reach over 80,000 in 1993; with nearly one-third of the cases to die from the disease;
Whereas the death rate for prostate cancer has grown at almost twice the death rate of breast cancer in the last five years;
Whereas African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence in the world of cancer of the prostate;
Whereas men are seven times as likely as women to be arrested for drunk driving and three times as likely to be alcoholics;
Whereas women visit the doctor 150 percent as often as men enabling them to detect health problems in their early stages;
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 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 (PSA) exams, blood pressure screens, cholesterol screens, etc., 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 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 information, and cost factors; and
Whereas men who are educated about the value that preventive health can play in prolonging their lifespan and their role as a productive family member will be more likely to participate in health screenings: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That June 12 through 19, 1994, is designated as National Men's Health Week, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs and activities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey gentlemen - -just a friendly PSA to take care of your health...