LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, in cele-
bration of its 20th year, to proclaim June 9-15, 2014, as Men's Health
Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, June 9 through 15, 2014, marks the 20th year for National Men's
Health Week, with the sole purpose of heightening the awareness of
preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treat-
ment of disease among men and boys; and
WHEREAS, As we prepare to celebrate Father's Day and recognize the
important men in our lives, it is critical that we bring attention to
the unique health concerns many men are faced with; on average, a man's
life expectancy is almost six years less than that of a woman; we need
to give particular emphasis on the importance of public awareness and
education to improve the life expectancy of men in the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, National Men's Health Week was established by Congress in
1994 and urges men and their families to engage in appropriate health
behaviors; the resulting increased awareness has improved health-related
education and has helped prevent illness; and
WHEREAS, The shift to prevention requires not only changes in the
health care system, but also an awareness by the American public of the
importance of regular visits to their physicians; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing and preventing men's health problems are not just
a man's issue; due to the impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and
sisters, men's health is truly a family issue; and
WHEREAS, Despite the advances in medical technology and research, men
continue to live an average of approximately six years less than women;
and
WHEREAS, Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, afflicting
one out of every 11 American men and killing 34,000 men every year; for
African-American men, the rate of affliction is even worse; African-Am-
erican men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world;
and
WHEREAS, In the past five years, the death rate for prostate cancer
has grown to almost twice the death rate of breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, Prostate cancer and many other health problems affecting men
could be avoided if men's awareness of health screening tests were
increased; heightening the awareness of preventable health problems and
increasing early detection and treatment of disease would significantly
improve our Nation's health, as well as save limited health care
dollars; and
WHEREAS, Women visit the doctor 1.5 times more often than men, enabl-
ing them to detect health problems in their early stages; and
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; and
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 prob-
lems in their early stages and increases in the survival rates to nearly
100 percent; and
WHEREAS, Many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physi-
cian 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;
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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, in celebration of its 20th year,
to proclaim June 9-15, 2014, as Men's Health Week in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National Men's Health Week;
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.