BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                      



           ------------------------------------------------------------ 
          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                   SCR 39|
          |Office of Senate Floor Analyses   |                         |
          |1020 N Street, Suite 524          |                         |
          |(916) 651-1520         Fax: (916) |                         |
          |327-4478                          |                         |
           ------------------------------------------------------------ 
           
                                         
                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SCR 39
          Author:   Runner (R), et al.
          Amended:  As introduced
          Vote:     21

           


           SUBJECT  :    Scleroderma Awareness Month

           SOURCE  :     Scleroderma Foundation 


           DIGEST :    This resolution declares June 2011 as 
          Scleroderma Awareness Month.

           ANALYSIS  :    

          This resolution finds:

          1. Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease 
             in which the bodys soft tissues suffer from an 
             overproduction of collagen.

          2. Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body including 
             skin, internal organs, and blood vessels.

          3. Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the 
             heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal system.

          4. Many sufferers develop pulmonary hypertension as a 
             result of constriction of the blood vessels.

                                                           CONTINUED





                                                                SCR 39
                                                                Page 
          2

          5. African Americans are more susceptible to systemic 
             scleroderma.

          6. Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or 
             causes of scleroderma.

          7. Researchers have found links between scleroderma and 
             rheumatic disease.

          8. An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, 
             and 80 percent of those are women.

          9. The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma 
             treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion 
             annually.

          10.The morbidity cost associated with scleroderma is an 
             estimated $819,000,000 annually.

          11.The direct cost of treatment for scleroderma is 
             estimated to be $462,000,000 annually.

          12.There is a significant need for further research 
             focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase 
             understanding of the causes of the disease and its 
             treatment.

          13.The United States Congress has recognized the need to 
             raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public 
             health and has designated a National Scleroderma 
             Awareness Month.

          14.California should also designate a month as Scleroderma 
             Awareness Month to help educate the public about 
             autoimmune diseases and the need for increased research, 
             funding, and effective treatments for those diseases.

          15.The designation of such a month would recognize the 
             efforts of health care providers, patients, and 
             scleroderma advocacy organizations to increase awareness 
             of scleroderma and of the need for increased research on 
             scleroderma.

          16.June 2011 would be an appropriate month to designate as 

                                                           CONTINUED





                                                                SCR 39
                                                                Page 
          3

             Scleroderma Awareness Month.

          This resolution declares June 2011 as Scleroderma Awareness 
          Month.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  5/25/11)

          Scleroderma Foundation (source)



          CTW:do  5/25/11   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

                                ****  END  ****
          


























                                                           CONTINUED