PRINTER'S NO. 3827
No. 682 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY BUXTON, APRIL 4, 2006
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 4, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of May 2006 as "Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
2 Deficiency Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency or
4 alpha-1) is one of the most common serious hereditary disorders
5 in the world and can result in life-threatening liver disease in
6 children and adults or in lung disease in adults; and
7 WHEREAS, Alpha-1 has been identified in virtually all
8 populations; and
9 WHEREAS, An estimated 25 million people in the United States
10 carry a single deficient gene that causes alpha-1 and may pass
11 the gene on to their children; and
12 WHEREAS, Alpha-1 can be detected by a simple blood test; and
13 WHEREAS, Alpha-1 is widely underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed:
14 fewer than 10% of persons predicted to have Alpha-1 have been
15 diagnosed, and it often takes an average of five doctors and
16 seven years from the time symptoms first appear before proper
17 diagnosis is made; and
1 WHEREAS, It is important to increase awareness and detection
2 of this serious hereditary disorder which is often misdiagnosed;
3 and
4 WHEREAS, During the month of May, a Statewide awareness
5 campaign is educating the public as well as our medical
6 community on alpha-1 detection and treatment; and
7 WHEREAS, A nationwide awareness campaign is also being
8 conducted during the month of May; therefore be it
9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
10 month of May 2006 as "Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Awareness
11 Month" in Pennsylvania and encourage all citizens to become
12 better acquainted with this disease and its consequences for
13 many individuals and families.
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