WHEREAS, More than five million people worldwide suffer from the devastating effects of systematic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as lupus, and each year another 100,000 young women, men, and children will be diagnosed with this disease, which is two to three times more prevalent among people of color, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of various parts of the body, particularly the skin, joints, heart, and kidneys; and

WHEREAS, Lupus research shows that close to two million Americans have been diagnosed with lupus, affecting one out of every 185 people and striking adult women about nine out of 10 times more than adult men; and

WHEREAS, While lupus is not infectious, rare, or cancerous, it affects more people than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis combined; and

WHEREAS, Although lupus ranges from mild to life threatening and thousands of Americans who have lupus die each year, the majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment; and

WHEREAS, Lupus impacts more than just the life of the patient, it affects the patients family, friends, coworkers, employers, and community; and

WHEREAS, Existing public information and programs about lupus in California remain inadequately disseminated and insufficient to address the needs of specific diverse populations and other underserved groups; and

WHEREAS, The Lupus Foundation of Northern California, the Lupus Foundation of Southern California, Lupus LA, the Howse Foundation, and the We Win Foundation were founded to alleviate the suffering of lupus patients through patient and family services, to achieve early detection of undiagnosed cases through awareness promotion, and to achieve the eradication of lupus by supporting lupus research; and

WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and proper treatment are critical to the improvement of the quality of life and survival rate of lupus sufferers; and

WHEREAS, Increased public awareness, education, and research are key to winning the battle against lupus; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly designates the month of May 2017 as Lupus Awareness Month and extends heartfelt wishes to the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, the Lupus Foundation of Southern California, Lupus LA, the Howse Foundation, and the We Win Foundation for success in their core objectives in the future; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, th Lupus Foundation of Southern California, Lupus LA, the Howse Foundation, and the We Win Foundation, and to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: May 4, 2017

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Designates the month of May 2017 as Lupus Awareness Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of various parts of the body, particularly the skin, joints, heart, and kidneys.
2. Lupus research shows that close to two million Americans have been diagnosed with lupus, affecting one out of every 185 people and striking adult women about nine out of 10 times more than adult men.
3. More than five million people worldwide suffer from the devastating effects of lupus, and each year another 100,000 young women, men, and children will be diagnosed with this disease, which is two to three times more prevalent among people of color, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.
4. Although lupus ranges from mild to life threatening and thousands of Americans who have lupus die each year, the majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment.
5. Existing public information and programs about lupus in California remain inadequately disseminated and insufficient to address the needs of specific diverse populations and other underserved groups.
6. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are critical to the improvement of the quality of life and survival rate of lupus sufferers. The Lupus Foundation of Northern California, the Lupus Foundation of Southern California, Lupus LA, the Howse Foundation, and the We Win Foundation were founded to alleviate the suffering of lupus patients through patient and family services, to achieve early detection of undiagnosed cases through awareness promotion, and to achieve the eradication of lupus by supporting lupus research.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: