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PRINTER'S NO. 3383
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
774
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY MALAGARI, DONATUCCI, SCHLOSSBERG, KIM, VITALI,
HILL-EVANS, BIZZARRO, MILLARD, KORTZ, READSHAW, FREEMAN,
POLINCHOCK, LONGIETTI, MURT, ULLMAN, BURNS, YOUNGBLOOD,
HOWARD, WARREN, NEILSON, SCHWEYER, KOSIEROWSKI, FITZGERALD,
SHUSTERMAN, ROEBUCK, HENNESSEY AND DRISCOLL,
FEBRUARY 28, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, FEBRUARY 28, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of April 6 through 12, 2020, as "Teen
Health Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, In 2016, Pennsylvania made the first Statewide
proclamation and observance that focused specifically on the
importance of holistic health in teenagers; and
WHEREAS, Since 2016, "Teen Health Week" has become a
nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the unique and
diverse health issues facing teens around the world, with
participation growing internationally in countries such as
Argentina, Australia, Mongolia, Switzerland and Uganda; and
WHEREAS, The rapid physical and emotional growth experienced
by teens creates needs that are distinctly different from those
of children and adults; and
WHEREAS, The distinctive health issues faced by teens
include, but are not limited to, gender and sexual development,
preventive care, mental health, nutrition, interpersonal
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relationships and substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, The health behaviors and habits of teens established
during adolescence play a pivotal role in their future physical
and mental health; and
WHEREAS, Substance abuse, dieting, exercise habits and mental
illness are some of the health behaviors that are established or
reinforced during teenage years and can drastically affect
health later in life; and
WHEREAS, As many as one-half of mental health disorders begin
by 14 years of age, with most cases being undetected or
untreated; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 2 million residents of this Commonwealth are
between 10 and 19 years of age, representing one of the best
investments the Commonwealth can make to the health and safety
of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, 45% of adolescents between 12
and 17 years of age have at least one chronic health condition,
with 25% of adolescents having two or more conditions; and
WHEREAS, While the adolescent period presents a variety of
health challenges, teens encounter many barriers to accessing
health care, such as fear or lack of confidentiality,
transportation or cost-related issues; and
WHEREAS, Approximately one in five high school students in
the United States report being bullied at school within the past
year, an experience which is associated with a number of serious
health issues such as substance abuse, emotional problems and
suicide; and
WHEREAS, Nearly one in three high school students in this
Commonwealth experience symptoms of depression, that if left
untreated, can lead to serious consequences such as suicide, a
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leading cause of death among adolescents worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Promoting healthy behavior in teens promotes a
healthy population, resulting in a reduction in health care
costs and a healthier, more productive workforce across this
Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
week of April 6 through 12, 2020, as "Teen Health Week" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
residents of this Commonwealth to learn more about the many
unique challenges confronting teens in this Commonwealth.
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