[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X94-130615]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 15, 1994]
National Men's Health Week, 1994
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
As this great country moves forward in its commitment to address
the many concerns related to the delivery of health care, we set
aside this week to give special attention to those issues that
affect the health of American men. We have made enormous progress
in medical technology and research, yet the goal of extending
human life expectancy will not be fully realized until
information on prevention, detection, and treatment of disease
reaches all men and is used by all men.
Tobacco use is the single most important preventable cause of
death in the United States, and currently 24 million American men
smoke. It is a major risk factor for diseases of the heart and
lungs and doubles the risk of stroke among men. The risk of dying
from lung cancer is 22 times higher for men who smoke. Those who
continue to smoke place themselves and those around them at great
peril. It is imperative for this country to focus its efforts on
eliminating the use of tobacco products through education and
treatment programs.
In the past decade, public awareness has also been increased
regarding the dangers of alcohol consumption and its impact on
the health of American men. Alcohol abuse is, more frequently
than not, a related factor in motor vehicle fatalities,
homicides, and suicides. It is becoming a special problem for the
young men in this country. Let us not falter in our progress--the
time has come for us to demand better access to treatment
programs, stronger and better enforced laws related to drunk
driving, policies to reduce minors' access to alcohol, and
greater involvement of primary care providers in dealing with
this problem.
Among older men, prostate cancer is a serious enemy. It is
estimated that in 1994, in America alone, prostate cancer will
affect 200,000 men, and 38,000 will die. Prostate cancer strikes
men almost as often as breast cancer strikes women, yet
reluctance to discuss this disease has left its research largely
under funded. However, what we do know gives us hope. In addition
to physical detection, doctors can now use a blood test to
determine the presence of this cancer. Furthermore, there are
several available forms of effective treatment. We must ensure
that all men over the age of 50 have access to screening for and
treatment of this disease, while we simultaneously push for
affordable medical care for all Americans.
Even in the face of better, more accessible detection and
prevention programs, we need men to recognize and adopt healthier
lifestyles. No health care policy can replace the benefits that
American men would reap from this change.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 179, has designated the
week of June 12 through June 19, 1994, as ``National Men's Health
Week'' and has authorized and requested the President to issue a
proclamation in observance of this week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of June 12, 1994,
as National Men's Health Week. I invite the Governors of the 50
States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Mayor of the
District of Columbia, and the appropriate officials of all other
areas under the American flag to issue similar proclamations. I
also ask health care professionals, private industry, community
groups, insurance companies, and all other interested
organizations and individual citizens to unite to publicly
reaffirm our Nation's continuing commitment to men's health.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of
June, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and eighteenth.
