Washington | June 22, 2010 - As you may know, on average men have a shorter life expectancy and have more health problems than women.  In part, this is because men are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior, and less likely than women to adopt preventative health measures.  Many of the conditions that impact men 1.5 times more than women, such as cancer and heart disease, could be prevented with increased awareness and screening.  As a male, I am deeply concerned with these facts, which not only affect men, but which significantly impact those around them, including women who because of their longer life expectancy have seen the men in their lives suffer or die prematurely.

For this reason, I was pleased to lend my support to bipartisan legislation honoring National Men's Health Week -- to help raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases affecting men -- when it was considered earlier today on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Because this is such an important issue, I urge all Delawareans to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle and to get screened regularly for diseases and conditions that could develop with age.  Early detection, screening, and treatment are critical to living a full and healthy life.

For more information about Men's Health Week, please visit www.menshealthweek.org.  Additionally, for more information about my work on Health Care and prevention, please visit my website.