1Designating the month of May 2013 as "Arthritis Awareness Month"
2in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases
4that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and
5connective tissue throughout the body, the most prevalent forms
6of which are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid
7arthritis; and

8WHEREAS, Nearly 46 million Americans, representing one in
9five adults, have arthritis and nearly two-thirds of those
10people are women; and

11WHEREAS, Arthritis is one of the most common chronic health
12problems and the number one cause of limitation in movement in

1the United States; and

2WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy $86.2
3billion per year in medical care and lost wages; and

4WHEREAS, The specific causes of arthritis are not yet known
5for most forms of the disease, but there are many things that
6can be done to reduce the impact of arthritis on everyday life;
7and

8WHEREAS, The key to reducing the impact of arthritis is early
9diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to the needs of each
10individual; and

11WHEREAS, Most treatment programs include a combination of
12medication, exercise, rest, use of heat and cold, joint
13protection techniques and sometimes surgery; therefore be it

14RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May
152013 as "Arthritis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge
16residents of this Commonwealth to be aware of the seriousness of
17this disease and to seek appropriate treatment to minimize its
18impact on their lives.