Sample Letter to Your Congressman (of Senator) in Support of the Men’s Health Act (see some additional talking points ):

 

(month) (day), (year)

 

The Honorable (first name) (last name)

U.S. House of Representatives (or U.S. Senate),

Washington, DC.

 

Dear Representative (or Senator) (last name),

 

I am writing to ask that you support legislation, H.R. 1734, that will create an Office of Men’s Health at HHS.  This legislation will create an office similar to the office of Women’s Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, an office which has saved thousands of women’s lives and improved the quality of life for millions more.

 

It is vital that an Office of Men’s Health be established, considering the statistics showing a significant threat to the status of men’s health.  In fact, statistics show a significant disparity between the quality of men’s health from that of women.

 

In 1920, the life expectancy gap between men and women was one year, but women now outlive men by seven years.  Also, age-adjusted data indicate that the number of men who die from heart disease is double the number of women who die from heart disease, and the incidence of stroke is higher among men.  Just as significant is the fact that 40 percent more men die of cancer than women, and men are at least 25 percent less likely than women to visit a doctor.

 

Prostate cancer itself has had an enormous impact on men’s health.  This year alone, nearly 180,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, of whom almost 32,000 are expected to die from the disease.  African-American men are twice as likely to die from the disease.  This disease is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, accounting for approximately 37 percent of all cancer cases.

 

It is imperative that we support a campaign to encourage men to get health checkups on a regular basis and to conduct routine self-examinations.  With the proper investment in education and research, many of the diseases and health problems facing men can be treated and cured, saving the lives of thousands of men. 

 

The Office of Men’s Health will make a difference in improving men’s health, which is also a concern for women who have husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers.  Please become a cosponsor of this bill and vote for this crucial legislation   If there is anything I can do in the future to assist in the passage of this bill, please do not hesitate to le me know.

 

Sincerely Yours,