2022 -- S 2999

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LC005543

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING JUNE OF 2022, TO BE "MEN'S HEALTH MONTH" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Lombardo, Burke, Acosta, Picard,
Zurier, Archambault, DiPalma, and F Lombardi

     Date Introduced: June 07, 2022

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, As of 2019, men in the United States had a life expectancy of 76.3 years,

approximately five years less than women. Native American and African-American males have

even lower life expectancies. One of the reasons for this disparity is the fact that men are often

reluctant to go to the doctor, with studies showing that women go to the doctor twice as often as

men. Even when ill, many men will avoid seeing a doctor, with forty percent admitting to waiting

days before seeing a doctor, and seventeen percent admitting to waiting up to a week before

seeing a doctor when ill; and

     WHEREAS, Only sixty percent of men get annual physicals. More than fifty percent of

men say they do not talk about their health, and according to the National Institutes of Health,

more than sixty percent of American men are overweight or obese; and

     WHEREAS, As of 2018, the leading causes of death for men were heart disease and

cancer. Annually, 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer making it the second overall

leading cause of death amongst men. In addition, mental health issues are common amongst

American men, with suicide ranking as the eighth leading cause of death, and the Centers for

Disease Control reports that males are more likely than females to die from COVID-19; and

     WHEREAS, Many of these illnesses can be prevented or treated properly through annual

screenings, regular visits to a physician, and getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Men who do so

are better educated about their health and live longer and happier lives. Fathers who take care of

their health and choose to live healthier lifestyles serve as important role models for their

children; and

     WHEREAS, While all of June is Men's Health Month, Friday, June 17, 2022, is "Wear

Blue Day" in which all organizations and individuals are encouraged to raise awareness and

much-needed funds to educate men about the importance of getting regular check-ups and

screenings to get information on health issues such as testicular and prostate cancer, as well as

cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, diabetes, skin cancer, and mental health well-being; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims June of

2022, to be "Men's Health Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Director James McDonald, MD, MPH, Interim

Director, Rhode Island Department of Health.

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LC005543

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