Jon L. Christensen: “in good conscience, I rise in support of H.R. 1784. The Women's Health Office Act of 2002 amends the Public Health…”

“in good conscience, I rise in support of H.R. 1784. The Women's Health Office Act of 2002 amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office on Women's Health, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health, requires the establishment of a Department of Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee and a National Women's Health Information Center, requires biennial reports to Congress and authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2007. Women make up the largest number of Americans afflicted by so many of today's leading illness--many of which are preventable if steps are taken earlier in life through routine care and a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Although the incidence of HIV/AIDS is decreasing in white males, it has become the third leading cause of death among women ages 25 to 44 and the leading cause of death among African American women in this age group. Even more alarming is the younger ages at which infection is occurring. As we carry out our myriad responsibilities, we have too often forsaken not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. We make up 12 percent of the U.S. population suffering from mental illness. Nearly 4.1 million women in this country currently use illicit drugs, and over 1.2 million misuse prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons.”