12-R289
2012 -- H 8184
Enacted 05/22/12
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
Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, and Costa
Date Introduced: May 22, 2012
WHEREAS, Hepatitis
Awareness Month presents an opportunity to raise awareness of
liver disease and hepatitis and support for the
dedicated efforts of the American Liver
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis is
inflammation of the liver caused by a wide variety of factors.
One of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis is
viral infection; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and
C are two such viruses that together kill approximately one
million people each year; and
WHEREAS, Five hundred
million people around the world are currently infected with
chronic Hepatitis B or C, and one in three people has
been exposed to one or both viruses; and
WHEREAS, The Hepatitis B
virus is a highly communicable disease that is spread
through direct contact with infected blood, as well as
most major bodily fluids; and
WHEREAS, The Hepatitis C
virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood,
but in rare cases it may be passed on through other
bodily fluids; and
WHEREAS, There is no
vaccination for Hepatitis C, but Hepatitis B can be prevented
through effective vaccination; and
WHEREAS, Many people do
not have any symptoms if they contract Hepatitis B or C,
although they can still transmit the viruses to others
and, if left untreated and unmanaged,
Hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring
(cirrhosis) and other serious complications,
including liver cancer and liver failure; and
WHEREAS, The World Hepatitis
Alliance is a non-governmental organization that
represents approximately 280 Hepatitis B and C patient
groups from around the world. Acting as
a coalition of advocacy groups, the World Hepatitis
Alliance is a global voice for the 500 million
people worldwide living with chronic viral Hepatitis B
or C; and
WHEREAS, The American
Liver Foundation is an organization that formed in 1976 in
order to facilitate, advocate, and promote education,
support, and research for the prevention,
treatment, and cure of liver disease. The American
Liver Foundation is taking a leadership role in
advocating on behalf of the millions of Americans and
their families living with liver disease and
its negative impact on health; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis Awareness
Month is observed every year during the month of
May. The first Rhode Island Hepatitis Awareness Day
will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012,
and the fifth annual World Hepatitis Day will take
place on Saturday, July 28, 2012: now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this House of Representatives of the State of
Providence Plantations
hereby proclaims the month of May to be “Hepatitis Awareness Month.”
We furthermore extend our
support and gratitude to the American Liver Foundation for leading
the charge to raise
awareness and help cure liver disease; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified
copy of this resolution to The American Liver Foundation’s New
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LC02662
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