THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MANN, BAKER, BEAR, BISHOP, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DAVIS, DAY, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, FREEMAN, GEIST, GIBBONS, GILLEN, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HARHART, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, M. K. KELLER, KILLION, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MARSICO, MATZIE, McGEEHAN, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILLER, MILNE, MIRABITO, MOUL, MULLERY, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PICKETT, PYLE, QUINN, RAPP, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROCK, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, STABACK, STERN, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 25, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 25, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of May 2011 as "Arthritis Awareness Month"

in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases

that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and

connective tissue throughout the body, the most prevalent forms

of which are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid

arthritis; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 46 million Americans, representing one in

five adults, have arthritis and nearly two-thirds of those

people are women; and

WHEREAS, Arthritis is one of the most common chronic health

problems and the number one cause of limitation in movement in

the United States; and

WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy $86.2

billion per year in medical care and lost wages; and

WHEREAS, The specific causes of arthritis are not yet known

for most forms of the disease, but there are many things that

can be done to reduce the impact of arthritis on everyday life;

and

WHEREAS, The key to reducing the impact of arthritis is early

diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to the needs of each

individual; and

WHEREAS, Most treatment programs include a combination of

medication, exercise, rest, use of heat and cold, joint

protection techniques and sometimes surgery; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May

2011 as "Arthritis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge

residents of this Commonwealth to be aware of the seriousness of

this disease and to seek appropriate treatment to minimize its

impact on their lives.