HR1226 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1226 LRB099 21744 MST 48395 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to describe a group of diseases causing airflow obstruction mainly associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis; it affects over 24 million individuals in the United States and an estimated 580,000 in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, COPD affects an estimated 580,000 citizens of the State of Illinois, with at least the same number estimated to be undiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, COPD costs the nation an estimated $49.9 billion in direct and indirect medical costs annually from emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and physician office visits; and

WHEREAS, The Respiratory Health Association is participating in statewide efforts to increase early detection, improve care and treatment, and prevent and reduce the prevalence of the disease; and

WHEREAS, There is no cure for COPD, but it can be managed by taking medications, using oxygen therapy, attending pulmonary rehabilitation and, in some cases, having certain pulmonary procedures; and

WHEREAS, Research has identified a hereditary protein deficiency called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin; people with this deficiency tend to develop COPD despite a lack of exposure to smoking and environmental triggers; and

WHEREAS, Education, awareness, and expansion of detection and management are the best approaches to addressing COPD; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare November of 2016 as COPD Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Respiratory Health Association as a symbol of our respect and esteem.