PRINTER'S NO. 1993

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No. 306 Session of 2008

        INTRODUCED BY VANCE, ERICKSON, BAKER, O'PAKE, BOSCOLA, BROWNE,
           COSTA, DINNIMAN, FERLO, FOLMER, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, KASUNIC,
           KITCHEN, LAVALLE, LOGAN, MUSTO, ORIE, PILEGGI, PIPPY, PUNT,
           RAFFERTY, REGOLA, RHOADES, ROBBINS, STACK, STOUT,
           TARTAGLIONE, TOMLINSON, WASHINGTON, M. WHITE, A. WILLIAMS,
           C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING, WOZNIAK AND ARMSTRONG,
           APRIL 29, 2008

        INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 29, 2008

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Designating the month of May 2008 as "Arthritis Awareness Month"
     2     in Pennsylvania.

     3     WHEREAS, Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases
     4  that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and
     5  connective tissue throughout the body, the most prevalent forms
     6  of which are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid
     7  arthritis; and
     8     WHEREAS, One in five adults in the United States reports
     9  having doctor-diagnosed arthritis; and
    10     WHEREAS, The prevalence of arthritis is higher among women
    11  than men; and
    12     WHEREAS, Arthritis is the second most common chronic health
    13  problems and the number one cause of limitation in movement in
    14  the United States; and
    15     WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy $124.5

     1  billion per year in medical care and lost wages; and
     2     WHEREAS, The specific causes of arthritis are not yet known
     3  for most forms of the disease, but there are many things that
     4  can be done to reduce the impact of arthritis on everyday life;
     5  and
     6     WHEREAS, The key to reducing the impact of arthritis is early
     7  diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to the needs of each
     8  individual; and
     9     WHEREAS, Most treatment programs include a combination of
    10  medication, exercise, rest, use of heat and cold, joint
    11  protection techniques and sometimes surgery; therefore be it
    12     RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 2008 as "Arthritis
    13  Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge residents of this
    14  Commonwealth to be aware of the seriousness of this disease and
    15  to seek appropriate treatment to minimize its impact on their
    16  lives.










    C20L82DMS/20080S0306R1993        - 2 -