HHS NEWS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

U.S. SURGEON GENERAL LAUNCHES MEN'S HEALTH RESOURCES AT HEALTHFINDER.GOV

Washington, DC - Surgeon General David Satcher today unveiled new features and services oriented to men's heath at www.healthfinder.gov, the government gateway Web site for health information. healthfinder® brings under one umbrella the vast health information resources of the federal government and its many partners. healthfinder® offers a broad range of reliable consumer resources and serves, on average, more than 350,000 consumers each month - more than 5.3 million visitors since it was launched.

"It is time to heighten the awareness of men and those around them to the importance of prevention for men's health. Men can live longer and healthier lives by making sound health choices and through early detection and treatment of diseases common or unique to them," stated Surgeon General Satcher in a press release. "The new resources at healthfinder.gov come just in time for National Men's Health Week, June 14-20 (concluding on Father's Day). Men can find health information for their special needs, along with a broad range of health resources of interest to them in their many roles."

To access the new men's health information resources click on "men" under "Just for You" on the healthfinder.gov homepage. New resources in the new men's section are grouped as follows:

• "Hot Topics" allows users to search the healthfinder.gov database on key issues for men's health, from fatherhood and physical activity, to divorce and prostate diseases, to name just a few;

• "News" links men to breaking news stories from the major net-news services and government sites such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health;

• "Smart Choices" features links to many articles dealing with physical activity, hair loss, reproductive and sexual health, and more;

• "Tools for You" helps men locate doctors and understand medical terminology, and;

• "Communities" offers resources for men in the various roles and settings of their lives - work, recreation, and family.

The new men's health resources at healthfinder.gov were developed in response to consumer demand, but were also driven by the fact that many men are not educated about the value of prevention for prolonging their life span and maintaining their role in their family. heathfinder® offers health information in a private and confidential manner that some men will find more comfortable as a starting point to becoming more pro-active in their health.

Educating men and their families on the value of prevention for men would help address some of the following:

• Men visit the doctor less often than women.
• Men continue to live an average of 7 years less than women.
• Testicular cancer, one of the most common cancers in younger men, when detected early has an 87 percent survival rate.
• The death rate for prostate cancer has grown at almost twice the death rate of breast cancer in the last 5 years.
• Factors affecting many men's reluctance to visit their doctors for regular screenings include lack of information, fear and cost.

According to national advocacy groups such as the Men's Health Network, men's health is more than a man's issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue. And, considering that women are often the main influences on health and medical care in their own families, they are in a unique situation to influence men's health choices.

healthfinder® offers rapid access to 400 government Web sites and 5000 other reliable links, including online and print publications, libraries, clearinghouses, referral services, research and clinical information, databases, discussion and self-help groups. In addition to the new men's health resources, Just for You also provides a menu of easily accessible, pre-selected health information in topic areas of particular interest to women, Spanish speakers, families, children and other groups.

Since healthfinder® was launched on April 15, 1997 by Vice President Gore and HHS Secretary Shalala, it has been frequently cited as one of the most reliable, comprehensive, and easiest to use Web sites for consumers looking for health and medical information. It has received over 36 awards for excellence. To reach the site, go online to www.healthfinder.gov. Those without personal Internet access are encouraged to check their local libraries or call the National Health Information Center at 1-800-336-4797.

healthfinder® is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in collaboration with other HHS agencies.

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Partnerships for Health in the New Millennium          January 24-28, 2000         Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC

Updated: 05/01/08