Ronald Henry and the Congressional Men's Health Caucus, 2025 Press Conference
Speech Given at Press Conference by Ronald Henry, President of Men's Health Network as part of the 2025 Congressional Men's Health Caucus Announcement
The leadership of the 2025 Congressional Men's Health Caucus announces plans for 2 resolutions drawing attention to life expectancy and men's health.
“The Lifespan Gender Gap rises & falls over time with both medical advances & public health advances."— Ronald Henry
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, May 6, 2025 /
EINPresswire.com/ -- The Congressional
Men’s Health Caucus showcased its 2025 leadership team and 2025 agenda at a press conference on May 1. Co-Chairs Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), along with Vice-Chairs Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rep. Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) announced plans for passage of two resolutions drawing attention to men’s health and two bills to create a federal Office of Men’s Health and to establish responsibilities within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to help reduce the Lifespan Gender Gap.
As an original and continuing partner to the Caucus, Men’s Health Network (MHN) joined the Caucus leadership to spotlight rising rates of preventable disease, the mental health crisis among men, and the widening lifespan gender gap, now over 5.3 years between men and women. Together, caucus leaders pledged to shift the conversation from reaction to prevention and from silence to empathy.
“We welcome the progress that has been made in women’s health, and we are working to help men learn from those successes.” Said Ronald Henry, President of Men’s Health Network. “Reducing premature death and disability among men isn’t just important for the men themselves; it’s important to the wives, sisters, and daughters who love them.”
Henry also addressed the rising gender gap in life expectancy, noting that it is not fixed or inevitable. “The Lifespan Gender Gap rises and falls over time with both medical advances and public health advances. From a peak of 7.7 years in 1979, the Lifespan Gender Gap was reduced by three full years to 4.7 years by 2010. Unfortunately, the Lifespan Gender Gap began growing again in 2015, and that is not good for any part of American society,” he said.
A Bipartisan Push for Prevention and Policy
“Men’s health isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a public health issue,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), the new caucus chair. “This caucus is about saving lives, supporting families, and making sure men get the care, information, and encouragement they need to stay healthy.”
Carter, who assumed the caucus leadership following the passing of longtime advocate Rep. Donald Payne Jr., was joined by co-chairs Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rep. Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL). Their joint leadership signals a strong bipartisan commitment to advancing policies that promote better health for men, boys, and their families.
In addition to the resolutions and bills planned for filing, Carter previously introduced the Men’s Health Workforce Act, which expands access to mental health services in underserved communities and also co-leads the PSA Screening for HIMs Act with Dr. Dunn, a bill that would require insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men.
Medical Voices and National Partners Weigh In
Rep. McCormick, an ER physician, pointed to the preventable nature of many chronic diseases facing men today—from obesity to renal failure—and called for a renewed national focus on daily fitness, screenings, and personal accountability.
About the Men’s Health Caucus
The Congressional Men’s Health Caucus brings together policymakers, medical professionals, and community leaders to promote awareness, education, and policy solutions that address the unique health needs of men and boys. Through efforts focused on prevention, mental health, early detection, and closing the lifespan gap, the caucus seeks to ensure that more men live longer, healthier lives.
About Men’s Health Network
Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray. Since 1992, MHN has led the charge in public health education, community outreach, and policy advocacy to improve the health and well-being of males of all ages.
Learn more at
www.MensHealthNetwork.orgJennifer Thompson
Men's Health Network
communications@menshealthnetwork.org
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Speech Given at Press Conference by Ronald Henry, President of Men's Health Network as part of the 2025 Congressional Men's Health Caucus Announcement