ACR 65: Limb Loss Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2021 and April of each year thereafter as Limb Loss Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2021 and April of each year thereafter as Limb Loss Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2021 and April of each year thereafter as Limb Loss Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, There are over 2,100,000 individuals in the United States living with limb loss or limb difference; and

WHEREAS, Over 500 Americans lose a limb everyday; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 1,000 children are born with congenital limb difference each year in the United States; and

WHEREAS, One thousand five hundred fifty-eight military personnel lost a limb as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Limb loss can affect all people, regardless of race, age, gender, or social status; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with disabilities constitute the only minority group a person could join at any time; and

WHEREAS, Diabetes and peripheral vascular disease are the leading causes of limb loss, followed closely by trauma; and

WHEREAS, Nearly one-half of individuals who have an amputation due to vascular disease will die within five years. This is higher than the five-year mortality rates for breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer; and

WHEREAS, As reported in the Annals of Vascular Surgery, researchers found a more than twofold increase in major amputations and the degree of tissue loss for vascular surgery patients after the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in comparison to patients in similar timeframes in 2019 and 2018; and

WHEREAS, The pandemic lockdown period has also had a significant effect on non-COVID-19 vascular patient care, leading to increased severe morbidity; and

WHEREAS, Studies show that up to 60 percent of limb loss could be preventable; and

WHEREAS, Eighty-five percent of lower limb amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer; and

WHEREAS, Lifetime health care costs for individuals with limb loss is over $500,000, compared to approximately $360,000 for people without limb loss; and

WHEREAS, Limbs are not a luxury; and

WHEREAS, Access to appropriate prosthetic care for people living with limb loss is vital to enabling individuals to reach their full potential, live independently, and live well; and

WHEREAS, While technology is advancing when it comes to prosthetic limbs, obtaining a prosthetic hand or leg is still a major issue impacting amputees due to cost and denials from insurance companies; and

WHEREAS, The number of amputations per day will double by 2050, unless a major public awareness campaign is launched and key prevention initiatives are put in place; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Amputee Coalition is to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through education, support and advocacy, and to promote limb loss prevention. An orange ribbon represents limb loss awareness; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of April 2021 and April of each year thereafter as Limb Loss Awareness Month in California in order to increase awareness and understanding about those affected by limb loss and limb difference; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.