PRINTER'S NO. 1481
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
331
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, DONATUCCI, CUTLER, BISHOP, MILLARD, DAVIS,
KILLION, READSHAW, MUSTIO, THOMAS, PICKETT, DiGIROLAMO,
KIRKLAND, BROWNLEE, LONGIETTI, SCHLOSSBERG, WHEELAND, DUSH,
SONNEY, VEREB, CALTAGIRONE, BIZZARRO, SCHLEGEL CULVER,
WATSON, V. BROWN, O'NEILL, MAHONEY, FABRIZIO, ROSS, MILNE,
HARHART, MARSICO, GOODMAN, D. COSTA, O'BRIEN, DeLUCA,
YOUNGBLOOD, HEFFLEY, PAYNE, MATZIE AND GINGRICH, MAY 11, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 11, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 2015 as "Hepatitis Awareness Month" and May 19,
2015, as "Hepatitis Testing Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by
several viruses which could lead to liver cancer or other
chronic liver diseases associated with hepatitis; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 15,000 Americans die from liver cancer
or other chronic liver diseases every year; and
WHEREAS, New cases of liver cancer are highest among
Americans of Asian or Pacific-Island descent and are increasing
in African Americans, baby boomers and men; and
WHEREAS, Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are a
silent epidemic affecting more than 5 million Americans; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne virus;
and
WHEREAS, An estimated 125,000 to 160,000 Pennsylvanians are
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living with hepatitis C; and
WHEREAS, Although certain strands of hepatitis are
preventable by a recommended vaccination, many individuals
infected with hepatitis are unaware of their condition; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 75% of individuals infected with
hepatitis C were born between 1945 and 1965; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends a one-time screening test for hepatitis C for
individuals born between 1945 and 1965 and routine screenings
for those at high risk; and
WHEREAS, The CDC has designated May as "National Hepatitis
Awareness Month" to highlight the serious damage hepatitis can
cause to the liver of the many Americans unaware of their
infection; and
WHEREAS, The CDC has designated May 19, 2015, as "National
Hepatitis Testing Day" to increase screening and testing rates
and reduce the burden of illness and death caused by hepatitis;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May
2015 as "Hepatitis Awareness Month" and May 19, 2015, as
"Hepatitis Testing Day" in Pennsylvania and encourage residents
of this Commonwealth to be tested for chronic viral hepatitis.
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