Bill would create federal Office of Men’s Health

Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) has proposed federal legislation to create an Office of Men’s Health that would promote research of male-specific medical issues and educate men on how to improve their health. If passed, the new office would be housed in the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

“An Office of Men's Health would serve as a forum for men’s health issues and be a central source of information for men across the country. The Office would also allow the federal government to be more proactive in educating men about specific medical issues,” Fossella said.

If created, the office would develop action plans to address such men’s health issues as prostate cancer, which accounts for 33% of all cancer cases; testicular cancer, with more than 8,000 cases occurring annually; promotion of PSA exams and blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol screens, in conjunction with clinical exams and self-testing; the life expectancy gap between men and women; and the fact that women are 100% more likely than men to visit a doctor than men are.