Crapo Helps Kick Off National Menâ??s Health Week

Washington, DC â?? During a speech today to kick off National Menâ??s Health Week, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo highlighted the need for increased health awareness and efforts among men. National Menâ??s Health Week activities are held across the country, bringing together corporations, government agencies, religious groups, and fraternal organizations to focus on menâ??s health issues. In his remarks, Crapo pointed out a continual problem in menâ??s health. â??Too frequently, men ignore warning signs of disease and fail to get routine or emergency medical check-ups and attention,â?? Crapo said. â??When they do seek care, embarrassment sometimes prevents men from openly discussing health concerns with their doctors. Early disease detection, health awareness, and education are efforts that are not only importantâ??they are vital. As men become more aware of their health and adjust their lifestyles accordingly, they will live longer with a higher quality of life. Far from only a personal effect, the societal results from improved health will be higher work productivity, reduced Medicare expenses, spouses who enjoy a longer life together and children who benefit from having a healthy father in their lives.â?? Created by Congress in 1994, National Menâ??s Health Week was established to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Celebrated during the week leading up to Fatherâ??s Day each year, Menâ??s Health Week provides a time for families to focus on menâ??s health through participation in screenings, health fairs, lectures and discussion groups. In addition to events on Capitol Hill, more than 45 state governors have declared Menâ??s Health Week in their states. Crapo has been an advocate on menâ??s health issues in the U.S. Senate, since his successful bout with prostate cancer in January 2000. He is the sponsor of S. 1028, the Men's Health Act of 2003, a bill to form an Office of Menâ??s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Crapo is a founding member of the recently formed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus. He also serves as co-Chair of the Congressional Heart-Stroke Caucus. Senator Crapo has sponsored the Mike Crapo Health Awareness Booths at four regional fairs in Idaho for the last three years. The booths provide early detection tests for prostate and breast cancer along with cholesterol and blood pressure screenings and health promotion information. He is also the recipient of the National Prostate Cancer Coalitionâ??s 2003 William A. Schwartz Distinguished Leadership Award.# # # FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available by calling 1-800-545-1267. Press 327 at any time during or after the greeting and instructions. You can also access the actuality through the Internet at http://src.senate.gov/radio/.