AJR22

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman R. BRUCE LAND

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Assemblyman MATTHEW W. MILAM

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

SYNOPSIS

Designates the month of November in each year as “Men’s Health Awareness Month.”

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

A Joint Resolution designating the month of November in each year as “Men’s Health Awareness Month.”

Whereas, The average man in the United States generally has poorer health compared to the average woman in the United States across a human life span; and

Whereas, The reasons for the poor state of health for a man are numerous and complex and include: lack of awareness and understanding of health issues facing a man; stigmas surrounding mental health; absence of open and honest discussion by a man about his health and how he is feeling; and reluctance on the part of a man to take action when he does not feel physically or mentally well; and

Whereas, 12.1 percent of men in the United States age 18 years and older are in only fair or poor health, with 34.6 percent of men age 20 years and older being obese; and

Whereas, The average life expectancy for a man in the United States is 76, almost five years shorter than that for a woman; and

Whereas, Nearly one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during his life; and

Whereas, Around 15 million American adults – 6.7 percent of the population – will be diagnosed with depression each year, with a man more likely than a woman to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol rather than seek treatment and services for his depression; and

Whereas, Males are 24 percent less likely than females to have visited a doctor within the past year; and

Whereas, Screening tests can often lead to earlier diagnosis of many of the major health risks that men face – such as heart disease and colon cancer – which can be prevented and treated more easily with earlier diagnosis; and

Whereas, The importance of early detection in the survival of a prostate cancer patient, for example, highlights the need for widespread awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and reinforces the rationale for increased efforts to educate the public about prostate cancer; and

Whereas, This resolution raises awareness for prostate and testicular cancers, mental health issues, and other health risks; promotes testing for prostate and testicular cancers; and encourages men in New Jersey to take better care of and interest in their health; now, therefore,

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

1. The month of November in each year is designated as “Men’s Health Awareness Month” in the State of New Jersey.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Men’s Health Awareness Month” with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates the month of November in each year as “Men’s Health Awareness Month.” The average man in the United States generally has poorer health compared to the average woman in the United States across a human life span. 12.1 percent of men in the United States age 18 years and older are in only fair or poor health, with 34.6 percent of men age 20 years and older being obese. Moreover, the average life expectancy for a man in the United States is 76, almost five years shorter than that for a woman. Around 15 million American adults – 6.7 percent of the population – will be diagnosed with depression each year, with a man more likely than a woman to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol rather than seek treatment and services for his depression. Although many of the major health risks that men face can be prevented and treated more easily with earlier diagnosis usually resulting from screening tests, males are 24 percent less likely than females to have visited a doctor within the past year. Importantly, one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during his life.

The reasons for the poor state of health for a man are numerous and complex and include: lack of awareness and understanding of health issues facing a man; stigmas surrounding mental health; absence of open and honest discussion by a man about his health and how he is feeling; and reluctance on the part of a man to take action when he does not feel physically or mentally well. The importance of early detection in the survival of a prostate cancer patient, for example, highlights the need for widespread awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and reinforces the rationale for increased efforts to educate the public about prostate cancer.

This resolution raises awareness for prostate and testicular cancers, mental health issues, and other health risks; promotes testing for prostate and testicular cancers; and encourages men in New Jersey to take better care of and interest in their health.