Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 150 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support and encourage national, state, and local efforts to secure access and remove barriers to health care for men and their family members.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from Bayer HealthCare and the Men's Health Network.

Your Committee finds that there is an ongoing, increasing, and predominantly silent crisis in the health and well being of American men. Due to lack of awareness, poor health education, and a paucity of male-specific health programs, men's health and well being are deteriorating steadily.

Your Committee further finds that statistics show that men's health, in particular, is at great risk. The average lifespan for American men is six years less than for women. Men also suffer higher mortality rates for the top ten causes of death. It is vital that government promotes initiatives at every level to improve health awareness, treatment, and outcomes for men.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 150, and recommends its adoption.