AJR78

A Joint Resolution designating June of each year as “Men’s Health Awareness Month.”

Whereas, The month of June is annually observed as “Men's Health Month” across the nation and is celebrated with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities; and

Whereas, 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; and this month provides health care providers, public policymakers, the media, and members of the general public with an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury; and

Whereas, “National Men's Health Week,” which is annually celebrated as the week leading up to, and including, Father's Day, was established in 1994 by the United States Congress, to show how simple, diagnostic, and screening tests can save lives; and it has become a month-long educational event; and

Whereas, Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue; because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue; and

Whereas, Despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of seven years less than women; and

Whereas, Educating the public and health care providers about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the early detection of health problems will help to reduce mortality rates from disease; and

Whereas, Men who are educated about the value of preventive health measures will be more likely to participate in health screening; and

Whereas, Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men; the National Cancer Institute estimates that there were 217,730 new cases and 32,050 deaths from this disease nationwide in 2010; its risk factors include increasing age, a high-fat diet, family history, and race or ethnicity; and its symptoms may include: blood in the urine, weak urine flow, frequent urination at night, difficulty or pain in urinating, painful ejaculation, persistent dull pain in the lower pelvic region, and general pain in the lower back, hips, and upper thighs; and

Whereas, The National Cancer Institute estimates that there were 70,530 new cases of bladder cancer and 14,680 deaths from this disease nationwide in 2010; the ratio of men to women being diagnosed with this disease is four to one; its risk factors include: smoking or chewing tobacco, pollution or smog exposure, certain chemical exposures, industry exposure in the case of textile manufacturers, firefighters, hairdressers, or dry cleaners, race, increased age, gender, previous treatments for other cancers such as radiation therapy, chronic bladder inflammation, and a family history of the disease; and its symptoms may include: urgency to urinate, blood in the urine, and pain in the back or flank, although often pain may not be present; and

Whereas, Early detection can be a key to a positive prognosis for men with prostate or bladder cancer; and

Whereas, The residents of this State are encouraged to increase their awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and medical examinations; and

Whereas, This Legislature recognizes the vital importance of public awareness efforts to inform New Jerseyans about men’s health issues; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. June of each year is designated as “Men’s Health Awareness Month.”

2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates June of each year as “Men’s Health Awareness Month,” and directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.