THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ORIE, SCARNATI, ALLOWAY, ARGALL, BREWSTER, BRUBAKER, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, FARNESE, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, KITCHEN, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, STACK, TARTAGLIONE, WARD, WASHINGTON, M. WHITE, WILLIAMS, PILEGGI, PIPPY AND SCHWANK, MAY 2, 2011

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 2, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing May 3, 2011, as "World Asthma Day 2011" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, "World Asthma Day 2011" will take place on May 3,

2011; and

WHEREAS, This year's event will continue the focus on the

positive theme introduced for "World Asthma Day 2007," "You Can

Control Your Asthma"; and

WHEREAS, This theme is consistent with the emphasis on asthma

control set out in the latest versions of the Global Initiative

for Asthma (GINA) guideline documents and will help to spread

the word that asthma control is the goal of treatment and can be

achieved in the vast majority of asthma patients with proper

management; and

WHEREAS, "World Asthma Day" is organized by GINA to raise

awareness about asthma and improve asthma care throughout the

world; and

WHEREAS, Each year, GINA chooses a theme and organizes

preparation and distribution of "World Asthma Day" materials and

resources; and

WHEREAS, "World Asthma Day" activities are organized in each

country by health care professionals, educators and members of

the public who want to help reduce the burden of asthma; and

WHEREAS, The first "World Asthma Day" in 1998 was celebrated

in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first world

asthma meeting held in Barcelona, Spain; and

WHEREAS, Participation has increased with each "World Asthma

Day" held since then, and the day has become one of the world's

most important asthma awareness and education events; and

WHEREAS, Many Americans are afflicted by asthma, a serious

chronic lung disease caused by continual airway inflammation

punctuated by episodes or attacks of increased inflammation

often in response to specific triggers; and

WHEREAS, These attacks, characterized by difficulty in

breathing, occasionally are extreme and constitute a medical

emergency; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, the burden of asthma in

the United States has greatly increased; however, within the

last few years, mortality and hospitalizations due to asthma

have decreased and asthma prevalence has stabilized, possibly

indicating an improved level of disease management; and

WHEREAS, The ultimate goal of these efforts is to decrease

asthma morbidity, mortality and costs and to increase the

quality of life for those with asthma; and

WHEREAS, The American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic

region has numerous programs and activities for families with

asthma to help educate and provide for self-management in

dealing with asthma, including Asthma Awareness Day, Asthma

Camps, Asthma Olympics and Breathe Well, Live Well; therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize May 3, 2011, as "World

Asthma Day 2011" in Pennsylvania.