National Men's Health Week Celebrates 10th Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 10, 2003—Kicking off a week of nationwide events designed to show how simple, pain-free diagnostic tests can save lives, Congressional leaders and their staff will participate in health screenings on Capitol Hill this week. The screenings are part of “National Men’s Health Week.” Event supporters hope to raise awareness of the rising and predominantly silent crisis in the health and well-being of men.

National Men’s Health Week, celebrated each year as the week leading up to and including Father’s Day, brings together corporations, government agencies, religious and fraternal organizations and others committed to the prevention and treatment of men’s health issues. National Men’s Health Week organizers plan a variety of activities in communities across the country.

“We’re pleased that Congress continues to take such an active role in National Men’s Health Week. Their support and that of the many participants nationwide have enabled us to raise awareness of men’s health issues in more and more communities across the country,” said Megan Smith, Director of Project Development, Men’s Health Network.

The Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a non-profit educational organization located in Washington, D.C. Now in its eleventh year, MHN was the driving force behind the installment of the “National Men’s Health Week” Act in 1994.

“Lack of awareness, poor health education and culturally induced behavior patterns in the work and personal lives of men continue to contribute to the growing crisis in men’s health,” said Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH and Board of Director’s member of the Men’s Health Network.

Congress has remained committed to National Men’s Health Week since its inception. For the past six years, men’s health screenings have been offered on Capitol Hill during National Men’s Health Week, with more than 700 members, staffers, and employees participating each year. MHN will sponsor screenings for prostate cancer, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and body fat with support from Pfizer Inc.

Among several Congressional leaders, U.S. Representatives Randy “Duke” Cunningham and John Conyers and Senators Bill Frist and Richard Shelby have been instrumental in joining the Men’s Health Network in supporting this effort. Over 300 members of Congress cosponsored the “National Men’s Health Week” Act in 1994.

“As a prostate cancer survivor, I know first hand the importance of annual examinations and early detection. Do not become a statistic. Please stop by your local clinic or doctor’s office this week for a screening for prostate cancer, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, colon cancer, and body fat,” said U.S. Representative Randy “Duke” Cunningham. “Take the time to protect your health and have a health professional explain your risks and the results of your tests.”

More than 45 governors have declared Men’s Health Week in their states and a number of corporations have also signaled their commitment to promoting men’s health issues during National Men’s Health Week.

The Men’s Health Network is a non-profit educational organization of physicians, researchers, public health workers, individuals and other health professionals committed to improving the health and wellness of men through education campaigns, data collection and work with health care providers. Additional questions or comments should be referred to info@menshealthnetwork.org or by calling (202) 543-6461 extension 101. or by visiting http://www.menshealthweek.org/