HR0614 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0614 LRB102 24116 ECR 33342 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a serious illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, which primarily affects young children and can lead to permanent heart disease; and

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease can cause devastating consequences, including life-long aneurysms, stent placement, heart transplants, skin disorders, and childhood anxiety; and

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease is the number one cause of permanent heart disease in children; it is diagnosed in approximately 4000 to 5000 U.S. children annually, primarily under the age of eight and across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines; and

WHEREAS, Scientific studies indicate that genetic inheritance is an important risk factor of Kawasaki Disease; and

WHEREAS, Despite the serious consequences that can manifest in children with Kawasaki Disease, there have been recent instances of young adults suffering heart attacks in their 20s and 30s, which then reveal old aneurysms and a missed diagnosis of KD as a child; and

WHEREAS, Underprivileged and minority communities are particularly devastated by the high cost of known treatment for Kawasaki Disease; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation, and the National Institute of Health recognize the need for proper and timely diagnosis, education, and treatment of Kawasaki Disease; and

WHEREAS, The lack of public knowledge and understanding of Kawasaki Disease plays a significant role in the overwhelming number of undiagnosed and untreated cases of KD; the dissemination of inaccurate, misleading information also contributes to the obstacles preventing diagnosis and treatment of the disease; and

WHEREAS, Missed diagnosis of Kawasaki Disease can lead to permanent heart disease and untimely death, which places an unnecessary financial burden on the health care system; and

WHEREAS, A lack of knowledge, combined with the issue that symptoms can disappear, has a particularly detrimental effect on the diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki Disease; and

WHEREAS, There is a need to educate health care professionals, parents, and the general public, who could be at unknown risk, about Kawasaki Disease and a need for well-trained physicians and emergency room professionals capable of conducting timely diagnosis and treatment activities; and

WHEREAS, Studies by the Kawasaki Disease Research Center and others consistently reveal that through proper and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment the symptoms and effects of KD can be substantially decreased and quality of life for the individual can be improved; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare January 26, 2011 as "Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day" and recognize Kawasaki Disease as a significant health concern; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage all citizens of Illinois to find out more about Kawasaki Disease and its signs and symptoms and to seek the appropriate treatment and care, if necessary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage medical professionals and researchers to consider ways to improve access to appropriate research information as to cause and patient treatment with the purpose of improving the quality of life for children and adults with Kawasaki Disease.