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Bill

S 5113

State of Men’s Health Act

119th Congress Introduced by Ruben Gallego and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a federal Office of Men’s Health to study, coordinate, and promote prevention and screening to reduce health disparities and mortality among men.

Introduced in Senate
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Bill Summary · S 5113

Summary of Bill S.5113 (State of Men’s Health Act)

Purpose

  • Establish a formal federal focus on men’s health by directing a national study of the state of men’s health and creating an Office of Men’s Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
  • Aim to identify health disparities, coordinate federal efforts, and promote awareness, screening, and preventive care for men.

Key Provisions

  1. Findings (Sec. 2)

    • Documents a range of concerns about men’s health, including:
      • Higher risk of premature death from many leading causes.
      • A widening lifespan gap between men and women.
      • Men’s higher age-adjusted mortality rate compared to women (1.4x).
      • Impacts on families, veterans, and society due to male health disparities.
      • Notable conditions emphasized: cardiovascular disease, mental health, HIV/AIDS, cancer (lung, prostate, skin, colorectal, testicular, etc.), diabetes, obesity, and suicide (men account for ~80% of suicides while composing ~50% of the population).
      • Prostate cancer is highlighted as the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men; significant incidence and mortality projections for 2026, with African American men disproportionately affected.
      • Broad economic and quality-of-life costs associated with premature death and morbidity.
      • The value of prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyles.
    • Calls for establishing an Office of Men’s Health to address these findings.

  2. GAO Study and Report on the State of Men’s Health (Sec. 3)

    • The Comptroller General (GAO) must, within 1 year of enactment:
      • Complete a study on the state of men’s health (including U.S. territories) and report to Congress.
    • Report contents to include:
      • Identification of health disparities in men’s health.
      • Review of current federal programs that could be optimized to reduce disparities.
      • Recommendations for additional federal programs or activities.
      • Evaluation of federal coordination efforts on men’s health and suggestions for improvement.
      • Analysis of the number of health-focused federal offices and potential consolidation or leadership opportunities for a men’s health office.
      • Assessment of programs to improve male engagement with health care.
      • Review of the federal research landscape for opportunities to advance men’s health.
      • Strategies to increase public awareness and investment in men’s health research and outcomes.
    • No new funds are authorized for this GAO study; funding would come from existing authorized appropriations.

  3. Office of Men’s Health (Sec. 4)

    • Amends the Public Health Service Act to add a new “Health and Human Services Office of Men’s Health” (Section 229A).
    • Establishment timeline: within 18 months after enactment.
    • Duties and activities:
      • Conduct, support, coordinate, and promote programs to improve men’s health nationwide.
      • Coordinate DHHS programs related to men’s health, including public awareness, education, and screening, with emphasis on colorectal and prostate cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, and mental health for at-risk men.
      • Create and maintain a database of best practices, guidelines, research, and funding opportunities related to men’s health.
    • Reporting requirement: within 2 years of establishment, the Secretary must provide Congress a report on the Office’s activities, including findings and recommendations to improve men’s health outcomes.
    • Funding: No new funds authorized; activities funded from existing appropriations (explicitly excluding funds for the Office of Women’s Health).

Who Would Be Affected

  • Federal government and DHHS programs related to health, with a focused mandate on men’s health issues.
  • Men’s health researchers and healthcare providers who would be engaged through the new Office and related programs.
  • policymakers and public health planners looking to coordinate and optimize federal activities addressing men’s health disparities.
  • The general population of men in the United States, particularly those at increased risk for cancer (prostate, colorectal, lung), diabetes, high cholesterol, and mental health concerns, along with their families.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction Date: July 23, 2026.
  • GAO study and report due: within 1 year of enactment.
  • Establishment of the Office of Men’s Health: within 18 months after enactment.
  • Office reporting to Congress on activities: within 2 years after establishment.
  • Funding: The bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized for the new provisions; funding would be drawn from existing appropriations.

Sponsorship

  • Primary sponsors: Senator Ruben Gallego (with Sen. Roger Marshall as a co-sponsor).

Overall Impact

  • The bill seeks to elevate men’s health as a federal priority by:
    • Providing a systematic assessment of current gaps and disparities.
    • Creating a centralized Office within HHS to coordinate and advance men’s health initiatives.
    • Enhancing data collection, best practices, and awareness to improve preventive care and health outcomes for men.
  • The approach emphasizes coordination across federal programs, targeted screening and preventive efforts, and the use of evidence-based practices to reduce mortality and morbidity among men.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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