The Substitute House Bill No. 5425, known as "AN ACT CONCERNING MEN'S HEALTH," mandates the Commissioner of Public Health to develop a public awareness and educational campaign. This campaign is aimed at promoting community-based screening and education for common diseases that disproportionately affect high-risk male populations. The diseases include colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, infectious diseases, depression, and anxiety. The bill requires the commissioner to report annually to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly that oversees public health matters, with the first report due by January 1, 2025.

The bill, which is effective from July 1, 2024, has a fiscal note indicating that the Department of Public Health (DPH) will incur a one-time consultant cost of approximately $20,000 in the fiscal year 2025 to develop the campaign. There are no anticipated costs in the subsequent years as the DPH is not required to implement the campaign it develops. The bill's legislative history notes that earlier provisions, which would have required the commissioner to implement the campaign and potentially contract with local organizations and community health workers, were removed in the substitute bill. The Appropriations Committee reported the substitute bill favorably, with a unanimous vote in favor.