2012 -- H 8184

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LC02662

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2012, AS "HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, and Costa

     Date Introduced: May 22, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Hepatitis Awareness Month presents an opportunity to raise awareness of

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liver disease and hepatitis and support for the dedicated efforts of the American Liver

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Foundation; and

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     WHEREAS, Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a wide variety of factors.

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One of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis is viral infection; and

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     WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C are two such viruses that together kill approximately one

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million people each year; and

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     WHEREAS, Five hundred million people around the world are currently infected with

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chronic Hepatitis B or C, and one in three people has been exposed to one or both viruses; and

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     WHEREAS, The Hepatitis B virus is a highly communicable disease that is spread

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through direct contact with infected blood, as well as most major bodily fluids; and

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     WHEREAS, The Hepatitis C virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood,

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but in rare cases it may be passed on through other bodily fluids; and

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     WHEREAS, There is no vaccination for Hepatitis C, but Hepatitis B can be prevented

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through effective vaccination; and

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     WHEREAS, Many people do not have any symptoms if they contract Hepatitis B or C,

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although they can still transmit the viruses to others and, if left untreated and unmanaged,

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Hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis) and other serious complications,

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including liver cancer and liver failure; and

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     WHEREAS, The World Hepatitis Alliance is a non-governmental organization that

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represents approximately 280 Hepatitis B and C patient groups from around the world. Acting as

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a coalition of advocacy groups, the World Hepatitis Alliance is a global voice for the 500 million

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people worldwide living with chronic viral Hepatitis B or C; and

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     WHEREAS, The American Liver Foundation is an organization that formed in 1976 in

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order to facilitate, advocate, and promote education, support, and research for the prevention,

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treatment, and cure of liver disease. The American Liver Foundation is taking a leadership role in

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advocating on behalf of the millions of Americans and their families living with liver disease and

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its negative impact on health; and

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     WHEREAS, Hepatitis Awareness Month is observed every year during the month of

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May. The first Rhode Island Hepatitis Awareness Day will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012,

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and the fifth annual World Hepatitis Day will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2012: now,

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therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of May to be “Hepatitis Awareness Month.”

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We furthermore extend our support and gratitude to the American Liver Foundation for leading

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the charge to raise awareness and help cure liver disease; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to The American Liver Foundation’s New

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England headquarters in Newton, Massachusetts.

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LC02662

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