PRINTER'S NO. 155
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
39
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, D. COSTA, SCHWEYER, BURNS, KOTIK,
READSHAW, V. BROWN, BAKER, FREEMAN, SCHLEGEL CULVER,
KIRKLAND, CALTAGIRONE, BISHOP, KIM, BROWNLEE, FRANKEL,
PICKETT, VEREB, KINSEY, BOBACK, SONNEY, DUSH, EMRICK, THOMAS,
HEFFLEY, O'BRIEN, DiGIROLAMO, LONGIETTI, MILLARD, HARHART,
DAVIS, WHEELAND, ROSS, DEASY, MAJOR, SCHLOSSBERG, GOODMAN,
DONATUCCI, O'NEILL, McCARTER, MARSICO, MURT, BENNINGHOFF,
C. PARKER, DeLUCA AND WATSON, JANUARY 23, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JANUARY 23, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating February 2, 2015, as "Rheumatoid Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive inflammatory
disease causing damage to joint and organ tissues, resulting in
severe pain, frequent disability and increased mortality; and
WHEREAS, Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as rheumatoid
disease, affects about 1% of the world's population, with 1.6 to
2 million Americans currently diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Common symptoms of rheumatoid disease include joint
pain, fatigue, fevers, stiffness, hoarseness and dry eyes; and
WHEREAS, There is a lack of awareness about rheumatoid
disease since it is often presumed to be a type of arthritis,
leading to problems with disability accommodations, clinical
care, healthcare reimbursement and research funding; and
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WHEREAS, The Mayo Clinic states that rheumatoid arthritis
patients are twice as likely to experience silent heart attacks
and sudden cardiac deaths, and that the lifetime risk of the
disease is 3.6% for women and 1.7% for men; and
WHEREAS, Rheumatoid Awareness Day comes at the start of Heart
Disease Awareness month, underscoring the impact rheumatoid
disease has on the heart prior to diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation recognizes
February 2, 2015, as Rheumatoid Awareness Day in order to
increase public awareness of the disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
February 2, 2015, as "Rheumatoid Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
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