It’s National Men’s Health Week

Did you know that this week is National Men’s Health Week?  The edict from the nation’s highest authority was passed to raise awareness on mens’ health related issues and how simple things can have a significant impact on improving the quality and longevity of men’s lives around the country.  The two bills: Senate Joint Resolution 179 (SJR 179) and the House Joint Resolution (HJR 209) were passed in March and May of 1994.  Upon final signature of SJR 179 by President Clinton on May 31, 1994, National Men’s Health Week was established.

The Goal of Men’s Health Month

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

This month 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.

NATIONAL MEN’S HEALTH WEEK
(Senate – March 25, 1994)

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Dole, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to Senate Joint Resolution 179 now at the desk introduced by Senator Dole, and I ask for its immediate consideration. I further ask unanimous consent that the joint resolution be deemed read three times and passed and the motion to reconsider laid on the table and the preamble be agreed to.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

So the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 179) was deemed read three times and passed.

The preamble was agreed to.

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.

Their website is chock full of tips, events, visual aids, and more – to help promote awareness on key issues.  The calendar has events around the country is support of the week’s charter for promotion of awareness.  If you are interested in sponsoring an event please check out the Men’s Health Zone Planner.

FiVi.com encourages you to use this week as milestone in your health.  Use FiVi Maps to plot out routes where you like to run or walk.  Use our Quick Entry tool to log exercises or activities.  We encourage you to use the power of peer motivation.  Get together with your friends and set a common goals and help each other reach those goals.  A common goal could be as simple as “We’ll run 5 miles a week” or “We’ll burn 1000 extra calories a week” and the group monitors itself via reports sharing.  Next week, we launch FiVi Updates where you’ll be notified everytime one of your friends logs and activity or exercise.  Blog about what you are doing this year to help ensure you live a life to it’s fullest potential and share it with your friends and colleagues.

Happy National Men’s Health Week from us at FiVi.com!