Men's Health

2 Peachtree Street, 36th Floor
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
(404) 656-5398

On March 10, 2000, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 1235, which created the Georgia Commission on Men’s Health, to address the ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and well-being of Georgia men. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally induced behavior patterns in their work and personal lives, men’s health and well-being are deteriorating steadily. Men’s health is also a concern for women because of the husbands, fathers, sons and brothers in their lives. The poor state of men’s health affects employers through the loss of productive employees and the increased cost of medical care, and is a concern for government and society which absorb the enormous costs of premature death and disability, including the costs of caring for dependents left behind.

Mission

The Commission on Men’s Health will be the catalyst to promote and improve the quality of the physical, social and mental health of men in the State of Georgia.

Vision

The Commission on Men’s Health will be effective in addressing men’s health issues in the State of Georgia. There will be evidence of substantial changes in health and well-being for men and, therefore, Georgia will serve as a model for other states to replicate.

Function

The Commission on Men’s Health, in particular, shall:

Develop strategies, public policy recommendations, and programs, including community outreach and public/private partnerships, that are designed to educate Georgia’s men on the benefits of regular physician check-ups, early detection and preventive screening tests and healthy lifestyle practices;
Focus on improving health outcomes in diseases such as prostate and testicular cancer, cardiovascular diseases including heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, depression and suicide and diabetes;
Monitor state and federal policy and legislation that may affect the areas of men’s health;
Recommend assistance, services, and policy changes that will further the goals of the commission; and
Submit a report of the commission’s findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than October 1 of each year.

Why is a Commission on Men's Health needed?

The life expectancy of men in America is seven years less than women.
In 2000, 180,400 estimated diagnosed prostate cancer cases and 31,900 were estimated to die from it. Prostate cancer accounts for 36 percent of all cancer cases.
Fifty percent more men than women die of cancer.
The incidence of prostate cancer and the mortality rate in African American men is twice that in white men.
Prior to age 65, men are three times more likely than women to die of heart attacks.
Eighty percent of suicides in America are men.
The incidence of stroke among men is 19 percent higher than for women.
Men are at least 25 percent less likely than women to visit a doctor, and are significantly less likely to see a doctor for regular check-ups and obtain preventive screening tests.

The focus of the commission is to develop statewide opportunities to promote awareness and disease prevention-wellness and positive behavior changes. We encourage you or your organization to partner with the Commission so that together we can strive to improve not only the lives of Georgia’s men but all men.