On Thursday, when the bipartisan Congressional Men’s Health Caucus held its first-ever Men’s Health Conference on Capitol Hill, ACG was honored to play a leading role.
The takeaway message was simple: too many men go unscreened for preventable, treatable diseases. It’s on everyone to combat stigma, speak up and seek help, and advance policies that eliminate unnecessary barriers. The caucus has already introduced the State of Men’s Health Act, which would direct research and create an Office of Men’s Health to coordinate activities within the Department of Health and Human Services.
ACG President-elect Costas Kefalas, MD, MMM, MS-PopH, FACG, moderated the conference’s panel on preventive screenings — a discussion that put colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and heart disease in front of Members of Congress, their staff, patient advocates, and health industry leaders.
“For colorectal cancer and so many other health conditions, and especially during Men’s Health Month, it’s crucial to meet men where they are and focus on the power of screening, prevention, and making healthy choices,” said Dr. Kefalas.
Joining him on the multidisciplinary panel were:
- ACG Trustee James Hobley, MD, FACG
- Mark Edney, M.D., American Urological Association
- Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention, American Heart Association
- Diah Douglas, M.D., Senior Medical Director, Lantheus
- Rodney Gillespie, Senior Vice President, Novartis
Later that night, ACG co-hosted a reception in honor of Men’s Health Month, along with Movember and Fulcrum Affairs. We were also joined by former professional athletes Harvey Grant (Washington Wizards) and Bryan Hall (Baltimore Raven), as well as ACG Trustee Pat Young, MD, MACP, FACG and ACG Public Relations Committee Chair Reezwana Chowdhury, MD, FACG.
“I was proud to host the inaugural Men’s Health Conference dedicated to reducing stigma and changing the conversation around men’s healthcare,” said Rep. Carter. “This conference isn’t just about improving men’s personal outcomes – it’s about breaking harmful habits, making informed decisions, and prioritizing health in a way that protects not just individuals but the whole community.”
The conference was led by Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) and Rep. Rich McCormick, MD (R-GA), alongside Vice-Chairs Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Rep. Neal Dunn, MD (R-FL). The breadth of bipartisan leadership on display — the caucus includes 33 members from both parties —underscored the Caucus’s commitment to making men’s health a shared national priority, regardless of party affiliation.
“I was proud to speak today at the inaugural Men’s Health Conference. Men and young boys face unique challenges, and it takes a concerted, nationwide effort to ensure that we can break the stigma around both the mental and physical health of men everywhere,” said Rep. McCormick.
The bipartisan Men’s Health Caucus is dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health issues, encouraging men and boys to take an active role in their personal health, and promoting legislation that will improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families.
ACG is grateful to the entire caucus for their leadership and commitment to ensuring prevention and early detection are firmly on the congressional agenda.