Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation this week to establish a federal Office of Men's Health, pointing to alarming data showing American men are dying earlier and at higher rates than women across nearly every major health category.
Gallego joined Kentucky Senator Roger Marshall (R-KY) in introducing the State of Men's Health Act, which would create a dedicated Office of Men's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and commission a comprehensive study on the state of men's health in the United States.
"Men are facing a growing health crisis and dying earlier from preventable conditions like cancer, heart disease, and mental health struggles," Gallego said. "Instead of letting men continue to struggle alone in silence, this bill would establish an Office of Men's Health to promote preventive care and life-saving research. When we invest in men's health, we build stronger families and stronger communities."
Recent Alarming Data
With striking numbers behind the measure, men are more at risk than women for premature death from nine of the top ten causes of death.
The lifespan gap between men and women has grown to 5.9 years, a level the bill's supporters describe as a crisis. Men pass away by suicide at four times the rate of women, making up nearly 80 percent of all suicides despite being half the population.
Cancer mortality is significantly higher among men, with prostate cancer alone expected to claim more than 36,000 lives this year.
The bill would direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a thorough study of men's health disparities and report its findings to Congress.
It would also require HHS to establish the Office of Men's Health within 18 months, with a focus on promoting preventive screenings, coordinating public awareness programs, and building a database of best practices and clinical research.
Additionally, the office would prioritize conditions including prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, and mental health.
The legislation has earned endorsements from the American Medical Association, the American Urological Association, ZERO Prostate Cancer, and the Men's Health Network.
A companion bill was introduced in the House earlier this year. With bipartisan support in both chambers and backing from major medical organizations, supporters say the push for a dedicated federal focus on men's health has never had more momentum.
