Congressman Carney is co-chair of the Men’s Health Caucus  

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Congressional Men’s Health Caucus is celebrating National Men’s Health Week (NMHW), which was passed by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994. NMHW was sponsored by Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Bill Richardson and is celebrated each year as the week that ends on Father’s Day, June 9-15 in 2014.

Recognizing that many health problems that affect men can be prevented, the week was designed to encourage men, boys and their families to develop positive health attitudes, engage in preventive behaviors, lead healthy lifestyles, and seek timely medical advice and care.

The Congressional Men’s Health Caucus has a mission to raise awareness of male health issues among members of Congress and the general public. The Caucus has sponsored numerous briefings on topics ranging from prostate cancer screening to traumatic brain injury. The current chairmen of the Caucus are Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ) and Rep. John Carney (D-DE).

“As co-chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I am proud to celebrate National Men’s Health Week,” said Congressman Carney. “Many health problems that commonly affect men can be prevented entirely or improved with early detection. This week is about raising awareness and encouraging men to be proactive about their health to live longer, healthier lives.”

Carney was recognized earlier this monthby the American Society of Clinical Oncology for his long-standing efforts to prevent cancer and help those battling the disease.  As part of that effort, he worked with colleagues on the Delaware Cancer Consortium to lead the successful implementation of Delaware’s colorectal cancer screening program.  Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The program led to a 41% reduction in colorectal cancer mortality rates among Delaware African-Americans, and an increase in screening rates for all Delawareans to 74%, among the highest in the nation.  Congressman Carney co-authored a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which evaluated the program and its adaptability in other states.  The article can be viewed here: http://goo.gl/1Nw9Xz. 

About Men’s Health Week

Men’s Health Week is organized by Men's Health Network (MHN), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.

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