2023 -- S 1101

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LC003098

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING JUNE OF 2023, TO BE "MEN'S HEALTH MONTH" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senator Dominick J. Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: June 07, 2023

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, According to Harvard Health, as of 2022, men in the United States had a life

expectancy of 73.2 years, approximately 5.9 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 sixty-

five percent saying they avoid going to the doctor as long as possible; and

     WHEREAS, Sixty percent of men do not get annual physicals and according to the

National Institutes of Health, and 34.1 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. In 2023, an estimated 288,300 men will be 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 16, 2023, 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

2023, 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 Utpala Bandy, MD, MPH, Interim

Director, Rhode Island Department of Health.

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