LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 13-19, 2011, as Men's Health Awareness Week in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, June 13-June 19, 2011 is National Men's Health Week, which its
sole purpose is to increase the awareness of early detection and treat-
ment of preventable health problems among our young boys and men; and
WHEREAS, National Men's Health Week was established by Congress in1994
and urges men and their families to engage in appropriate health behav-
iors; the resulting increased awareness has improved health-related
education and has helped prevent illness; and
WHEREAS, Despite advances in medical technology and research, men
continue to live an average of more than five years less than women, and
African-American men have the lowest life expectancy; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control 12% of men are
in fair or poor health; 34% of men 18 years and over engage in leisure
time physical activity; 23% of men 18 years and over consume five or
more alcoholic beverages in a day; 32% of men 20 years and over are
obese; 31% of men 20 years and over have hypertension; and 18% of males
under 65 do not have health coverage; and
WHEREAS, Men between the ages 45 and 54 are three times more likely
than women to die of heart attacks; and
WHEREAS, Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men
aged 15 to 34, and when detected early, has a 96 percent survival rate,
and the likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 6;
and
WHEREAS, The number of cases of colon and prostate cancer among men
will continue to increase in 2011, and most of those men diagnosed will
die from the disease; and
WHEREAS, African-American men in the United States have the highest
incidence in the world of prostate cancer; and
WHEREAS, Significant numbers of health problems that affect men such
as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer, and infertility,
could be detected and treated if men's awareness of such problems was
more pervasive; and
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; and
WHEREAS, Appropriate use of tests such as prostate specific antigen
exams, blood pressure screenings, and cholesterol screenings, in
conjunction with clinical examination and self-testing for problems such
as testicular cancer, can result in the detection of many problems in
their early stages and increase the survival rates to nearly 100
percent; and
WHEREAS, Women are twice as likely as men to visit the doctor for
annual examinations and preventive services; and
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, lack of health insurance, 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 productive fami-
ly members will be more likely to participate in health screenings; and
WHEREAS, Men and their families are encouraged to increase their
awareness of the importance of a healthier lifestyle, with regular exer-
cise, and annual routine medical checkups; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body challenges everyone to help promote
health awareness events focused on men, women and children to live a
healthier lifestyle; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 13-19, 2011, as
Men's Health Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.