Title
To Designate June as Men’s Health Month in the City of Columbus and to recognize the work of the Annual African American Male Wellness Walk and their efforts to improve men’s health
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WHEREAS, Men’s Health Month was created to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and to encourage early detection and treatment of disease in men; and
WHEREAS, Men continue to live an average of almost six years less than women with Native American and African-American Men having the lowest overall life expectancy; in spite of the advances in modern medical technology and research; and
WHEREAS, educating men continues to be a priority as men who are educated about the value of preventative health are more likely to participate in health screenings; and fathers who maintain healthy lifestyles are more likely to become role models for their children, ultimately leading to happier healthier children and healthier future adults; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 John H. Gregory started the African American Male Wellness Walk Initiative, AAMWW in Columbus, Ohio to raise awareness regarding preventable health diseases; and
WHEREAS, 2016 marks the 12th Anniversary of the AAMWW which has provided thousands of health screenings to men in Central Ohio and now has wellness events, walks and screenings in cities across the United States in places like, New Orleans, Washington, DC, Niagra Falls, New York and others; and
WHEREAS, the AAMWW has been recognized by President Obama who stated, “Everyone deserves the chance to lead a healthy life, and all our communities should have the support they need to thrive. Yet despite the overall improvement of health care and services across America in recent years, disparities in health persist”; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Columbus Recreation and Parks, Columbus Public Health and the vast array of corporate and community partners, volunteers, organizers and others are committed to improving the overall health of our community and the health of men in general, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO
That this Council does hereby designate June as Men’s Health Month in the City of Columbus and recognize and applaud the work of the Annual African American Male Wellness Walk and their efforts to improve men’s health.