[Filed with Secretary of State June 2, 2015.]
SCR 46, Bates. Arthritis Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim the month of May 2015 as Arthritis Awareness Month.
WHEREAS, Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue; and
WHEREAS, Arthritis is a chronic health problem that is the nation’s leading cause of physical disability among Americans and is most common among people with multiple chronic conditions; and
WHEREAS, Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement, can limit everyday activities such as walking and dressing, and can even lead to death; and
WHEREAS, Arthritis affects an estimated 52.5 million American adults living with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis, representing 22.7 percent of adults in the United States; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 children under 18 years of age have a form of arthritis or rheumatic condition, representing approximately 1 in every 250 children in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy more than $128 billion each year, $81 billion in direct medical care costs and $47 billion in indirect costs; and
WHEREAS, Arthritis results in 992,100 hospitalizations and 44 million outpatient visits each year; and
WHEREAS, In California there are more than 5.9 million people living with arthritis, including 38,000 children; and
WHEREAS, In California, 43 percent of adults with diabetes also have arthritis, 52 percent of adults with cardiovascular disease also have arthritis, and 38 percent of adults with high blood pressure also have arthritis; and
WHEREAS, Among working age adults with arthritis in California, 43 percent have some work limitations due to their arthritis; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 67 million adults 18 years of age and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature understands the extent of, and sympathizes with, the severity of the impact of arthritis on California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the month of May 2015 as Arthritis Awareness Month and appreciates the efforts of the Arthritis Foundation to seek access to care for all Californians; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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