PRINTER'S NO. 273
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
33
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY STRUZZI, DELLOSO, FEE, KHAN, KINSEY, PICKETT AND
SCHMITT, MARCH 10, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 10, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of July 2023 as "Juvenile Arthritis
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis is an umbrella term that refers
to pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children 16
years of age or younger; and
WHEREAS, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an
autoinflammatory disease of an unknown origin and the most
common type of arthritis in children; and
WHEREAS, An autoinflammatory disease causes the immune system
to become overactive even when there is no infection or illness
to fight or mistakenly attack healthy cells and tissues; and
WHEREAS, There is no evidence as to what causes JIA and no
links have been found that foods, toxins, allergies or the lack
of vitamins play a role in developing the disease; and
WHEREAS, Current research indicates that there is a genetic
predisposition to JIA; and
WHEREAS, Researchers believe that a trigger, such as a virus,
can initiate JIA in a child who has the genetic tendency; and
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WHEREAS, Systemic JIA, oligoarticular JIA, polyarticular JIA,
juvenile psoriatic arthritis, enthesitis-related JIA and
undifferentiated arthritis are the six subtypes of JIA; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 300,000 children in the United States have
some form of arthritis; and
WHEREAS, Typical symptoms of arthritis include limping,
stiffness when awakening, reluctance to use an arm or leg,
reduced activity level, persistent fever, joint swelling and
difficulty with fine motor skills; and
WHEREAS, Most children with arthritis can expect to live
normal lives and some even have their arthritis go into
remission; and
WHEREAS, There is a small number of specialists who treat
JIA, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a leader in
the field; and
WHEREAS, According to the American College of Rheumatology,
the best care for a child who has JIA is provided by a pediatric
rheumatology team that has extensive experience and can diagnose
and manage their complex needs; and
WHEREAS, A pediatric rheumatology team may consist of a
pediatric rheumatologist, a physical therapist, an occupational
therapist, a social worker and a nurse specialist who coordinate
care with other health professionals and school and community
officials; and
WHEREAS, The overall treatment goal for a child who has JIA
is to control the symptoms, prevent joint damage and maintain
function; and
WHEREAS, Medications, including steroids, disease-modifying
drugs and biologics along with physical and occupational therapy
are used to treat JIA; and
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WHEREAS, Parents and caregivers of children who have JIA
should be familiar with 29 U.S.C. Ch. 16 (relating to vocational
rehabilitation and other rehabilitation services), which may
provide for special accommodations at school; and
WHEREAS, Children who have JIA may be eligible for assistance
through services provided by State agencies; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of July 2023 as "Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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