SR1369 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1369 LRB100 19627 ALS 34900 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Eczema is a set of skin conditions that cause red, itchy, and inflamed skin, and has profound medical, psychosocial, and economic effects on patients, families, and their communities; and

WHEREAS, The prevalence of eczema in the United States is 10.1 percent; and

WHEREAS, Eczema affects over 31.6 million children and adults in the United States alone; and

WHEREAS, Eczema's medical effects include dry, cracked, and scaly skin, incessant itch, chronic pain, and sleep deprivation; and

WHEREAS, 41.5 percent of adult eczema patients report having a co-occurring diagnosis of depression and 47.9 percent report having a co-occurring diagnosis of asthma; and

WHEREAS, Adults and children with eczema also frequently exhibit comorbidities like asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, ADHD, bacterial and viral infections, and hypertension; and

WHEREAS, Eczema's disease burden also includes anxiety, stress on social and intimate relationships, increased suicidal ideation, delayed developmental achievement, reduced self-esteem, restrictions on diet and exercise, extensive caregiver burdens, and challenges with medication adherence; and

WHEREAS, Eczema results in missed days of school and work for patients and caregivers, disability, and reduced ability within a patient's chosen profession, unemployment and underemployment, and other opportunity costs; and

WHEREAS, The direct medical costs of the three most common types of eczema exceed $2.17 billion, and the indirect medical costs exceed $927 million; and

WHEREAS, Two-thirds of eczema patients report experiencing significant access barriers, including high out-of-pocket costs and insurance requirements that delay patients' access to medications; and

WHEREAS, There is no cure for eczema, but emerging technologies and medications promise a much brighter future for eczema patients; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the month of October 2018 is designated as Eczema Awareness Month and residents are encourage to show support for Eczema Awareness.