BILL NUMBER: ACR 153	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Beall

                        MAY 7, 2012

   Relative to Arthritis Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 153, as introduced, Beall. Arthritis Awareness Month.
   This measure would designate the month of May 2012 as Arthritis
Awareness Month in California.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Arthritis encompasses more than 100 diseases and
conditions that affect the joints, tissues surrounding the joints,
and other organs; and
   WHEREAS, The most common forms of arthritis include
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, psoriatic
arthritis, and lupus; and
   WHEREAS, Nearly 46 million American adults, including 5 million
adults in California, have arthritis or live with the pain and
limitations of some form of the disease; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis is one of the most common chronic childhood
diseases and nearly 300,000 American children, including 38,000
children in California, the highest of any state, live with
arthritis; and
   WHEREAS, Arthritis is our nation's leading cause of disability and
a principal driver of health care costs; and
   WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and appropriate management can help
people with arthritis decrease pain, improve function, stay
productive, and lower health care costs; and
   WHEREAS, The federal government recognizes May as Arthritis
Awareness Month; and
   WHEREAS, During Arthritis Awareness Month, we recognize the
efforts of advocacy groups, such as the Arthritis Foundation, that
sponsor public awareness activities and fund research to improve
treatments for the disease; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of May
2012 as Arthritis Awareness Month in California; and be it further
   Resolved, That Arthritis Awareness Month is an opportunity to
increase awareness and recognize the importance of seeking
appropriate treatment in order to minimize the disease's disabling
impact on daily lives; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.