Policy Resolution HHS-17-18

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is a disease that disproportionately affects African-American males, with incidence rates 1.6 times higher than non-African-American males;

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is a disease that disproportionately affects all men with a family history of this disease (particularly brother and/or father) and as they advance in age;

WHEREAS, African-American males die from prostate cancer at a rate 2.5 times higher than White males;

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is detected in African-American males, on average, at a younger age than White males;

WHEREAS, race, age and family history present a triple risk for older African Americans;

WHEREAS, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer can prevent deaths and metastatic spread of prostate cancer in the body and related pain and suffering; and

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has called for increased funding and outreach in resolution HHS-08-23 “To Adopt Additional Funds for Education, Awareness, Outreach, and Early Detection for Prostate Cancer.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) calls on states to take action on prostate cancer awareness;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, NBCSL call on states to encourage culturally-competent outreach efforts to educate and inform communities of color on the importance of early detection;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, NBCSL calls on states to encourage African-American men to participate in clinical trials and for clinical trials to actively recruit African-American men;

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative Brenda Gilmore (TN)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Health and Human Services Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Co-Chair: Representative Mia Jones (FL)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 3, 2016
• Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President