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Men's Health Week

Floor Speech

Date: June 16, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate national Men's Health Week, I urge all Americans to take action to reduce health risks and prevent disease. It can be as simple as exercising, eating right, or setting up an appointment for a checkup.

I also rise as the CBC Health Braintrust chair to bring awareness to the critical state of Black men's health and the need to expand educational opportunities and treatment options to reduce incidence of disease in communities of color.

Black men suffer disproportionately from many chronic and infectious diseases, many of which are preventible. Today, almost 40 percent of Black men are obese, which contributes to stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. In 2015, Black men were found to be twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as White men and have a higher incidence and death rate from colorectal cancer. Your skin color and ZIP Code shouldn't determine your health outcomes.

Together, through legislation and community engagement, we can reduce health inequities and provide a healthier and more prosperous life for all Americans.

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