ACR 73, as introduced, Baker. Celiac Disease Awareness Month.
This measure would recognize May 2015 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, Celiac disease is a digestive and autoimmune
2disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine
3when a person eats foods with gluten; and
4WHEREAS, Gluten is a form of protein found in some grains,
5including wheat, rye, barley, and oats, which individuals living
6with celiac disease need to avoid; and
7WHEREAS, The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the
8body to absorb nutrients, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folate;
9and
10WHEREAS, Celiac disease is estimated to affect one in 100
11people worldwide; and
12WHEREAS, An estimated 2.5 million Americans who have
13celiac disease remain undiagnosed and at risk for long-term health
14complications; and
15WHEREAS, Common symptoms of celiac disease include severe
16abdominal pain, severe skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis,
P2 1iron deficiency anemia, musculoskeletal problems, muscle cramps,
2seizures, tingling sensation in the legs, and depression; and
3WHEREAS, Celiac disease can leave a person susceptible to
4additional health problems, including osteoporosis, miscarriage,
5infertility, risk of birth defects during pregnancy, growth problems
6in children affected by the disease because they do not absorb
7enough nutrients, and cancers of the digestive system; and
8WHEREAS, People who have celiac disease may have other
9autoimmune diseases, including thyroid disease, type I diabetes,
10lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis; and
11WHEREAS, Some people with celiac disease have so much
12damage to their intestines that a gluten-free diet will not improve
13their condition, and these patients may need to receive nutritional
14supplements intravenously; and
15WHEREAS, Maintaining a gluten-free diet can be a difficult
16change, as gluten is found in some products in which gluten is not
17naturally occurring; and
18WHEREAS, Gluten is found in most processed foods, but it is
19also used in nonedible products such as lipsticks, vitamins, and
20medications; and
21WHEREAS, Gluten-free food touching the same surface as
22gluten-containing food can cause cross-contamination that can be
23dangerous for someone with celiac disease by triggering celiac
24disease symptoms; and
25WHEREAS, Awareness for celiac disease has grown
26significantly in recent years; and
27WHEREAS, The development of new gluten-free food products
28has made it much easier for people with celiac disease to expand
29their dietary options; and
30WHEREAS, Labeling of certified gluten-free products makes
31shopping easier for people with celiac disease; and
32WHEREAS, Gluten-free restaurants, gluten-free menus, and
33the education of food handlers regarding celiac disease have given
34people living with celiac disease safer options for dining out; and
35WHEREAS, Much progress has been made in recent years to
36educate people about celiac disease and identify ways to improve
37their quality of life; now, therefore, be it
38Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
39thereof concurring, That May 2015 be recognized as Celiac Disease
40Awareness Month; and be it further
P3 1Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
2of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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