Men's Health Highlighted In Senate Resolution

Washington, DC - Men in the United States live an average of five fewer years than women. Middle-aged men are three times more likely than women to die of a heart attack and women are far more likely than men to see a doctor regularly. Those statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are why Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and four of his Senate colleagues are introducing a Senate resolution naming June 9th through the 15th of this year as National Men's Health Week. The resolution encourages increased education on men's health issues and the early detection and treatment of health issues involving men and boys.

"As a cancer survivor, I can attest to why awareness and early treatment is essential to maintaining men's health," said Crapo, a member of the Senate Medical Technology Caucus and the Senate Rural Healthcare Caucus. "We brought cancer testing to mobile vans and state fairs in Idaho because every step we take may save a life. Statistics show that men are far less likely than women to get an annual checkup. The increased attention to these health issues is critical in winning the fight against cancer, heart attacks and other medical problems men face."

Crapo was joined in introducing the legislation by Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), and Richard Shelby (R-Alabama).

According to the Centers for Disease Control, men die from cancer and heart attacks at a rate one and one-half times that of women. One in six men will develop prostate cancer and an estimated 28,660 men will die of that cancer this year.