Congressional Leaders Emphasize Men's Well-Being During Annual National Men's Health Week

WASHINGTON, June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Men's Health Week (http://www.menshealthweek.org)—celebrated each year as the week concluding on Father's Day—is intended to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

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Anchored by health activities on Capitol Hill, the week-long period features activities in communities across the country, bringing together corporations, government agencies, religious and fraternal organizations, as well as others committed to the prevention and treatment of improving the health of men and their families. A sampling of local activities planned can be found at http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/calendar.htm.

"Awareness periods like this help end the silence surrounding men's health and encourage men and boys to participate in dialogue and take action concerning their health," shared Theresa Morrow, co-founder of Women Against Prostate Cancer, www.womenagainstprostatecancer.org.

More than 300 members of Congress co-sponsored the "National Men's Health Week" Act in 1994 and Congress celebrates this period with health awareness activities and briefings.  Participation by members of Congress raises awareness of the need for men, boys, and their families to become proactive with their health.

"Men notice when their car doesn't perform properly, but don't listen when their body tells them it's time to see a doctor," stated Scott Williams, VP of MHN.  "National Men's Health Week is a call to action for all men and their families to take ownership of their health and well-being.  Men should use Father's Day as a reminder to make that annual appointment to see their healthcare provider for a check-up."

Congress is expected to pass a resolution encouraging President Obama to issue a proclamation recognizing NMHW, which provides the public with statistics that illustrate the importance of men's health issues. In addition, governors declare Men's Health Week in their respective states.

Former Congressman and co-creator of the awareness period Bill Richardson observed that "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."

Men's Health Network (http://www.menshealthnetwork.org) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.

SOURCE Men's Health Network