California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 123

Introduced by Assembly Member Harkey

March 25, 2014

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 123—Relative to Arthritis Awareness Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 123, as introduced, Harkey. Arthritis Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of May 2014 as Arthritis Awareness Month.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases
and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints,
and other connective tissue; and

WHEREAS, Arthritis is a chronic health problem and 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, An estimated 52.5 million adults in the United
States are living with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis,
representing approximately 22.7 percent of adults in the United
States; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 children under 18 years of
age, or approximately one in 250 children, in the United States
have some form of arthritis or rheumatic condition; and

WHEREAS, Approximately one-half of all adults with heart
disease or diabetes also have arthritis; and

WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy more
than $128 billion each year, with $81 billion in direct medical care
costs and $47 billion in indirect costs; and

WHEREAS, Arthritis results in approximately 992,100
hospitalizations and 44 million outpatient visits each year; and

WHEREAS, In California there are more than 5.3 million people
living with arthritis, including 38,000 children; 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 Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature understands the extent
of, and sympathizes with, the severity of the impact of arthritis on
Californians; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the month of May
2014 as Arthritis Awareness Month and appreciates the efforts of
the California Arthritis Foundation Council to seek access to care
for all Californians; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

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CORRECTIONS:

Text--Page 2.

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