A UGA health education expert hopes his participation over the next two years on a new state commission will help make a positive difference in the quality of life for the state of Georgia’s male population.
Stu Fors, professor and department head of health promotion and behavior in the College of Education, is one of 11 people appointed to the newly established Governor’s Commission on Men’s Health.
The commission, established by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2000 legislative session, will focus on improving health outcomes in men in specific disease areas. It will monitor state and federal legislative policy and legislation that may affect men’s health, develop educational strategies and make recommendations on men’s health issues.
The commission will submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, president of the state senate and speaker of the state house of representatives by October 1 of each year. Initial terms of appointments expire July 1, 2003.
The commission will focus on unacceptably high rates of heart disease, stroke, prostate cancer, depression and suicide, lack of regular visits to the doctor and the low level of early detection through preventive screening for serious disease.
“I like the emphasis on health promotion strategies--educating men for prevention and early detection,” said Fors of the commission’s charge. “It mentions regular medical exams, preventive screenings, regular exercise and healthy eating habits as examples of health-promoting lifestyles that should be encouraged among Georgia men.”
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