BILL NUMBER: SCR 135INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Bates APRIL 26, 2016 Relative to Arthritis Awareness Month. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 135, as introduced, Bates. Arthritis Awareness Month. This measure would proclaim the month of May 2016 as Arthritis Awareness Month. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue; and WHEREAS, Arthritis is a chronic health problem that is the nation' s leading cause of physical disability among Americans and is most common among people with multiple chronic conditions; and WHEREAS, Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement, can limit everyday activities such as walking and dressing, and can even lead to death; and WHEREAS, Arthritis affects an estimated 52.5 million American adults living with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis, representing 22.7 percent of adults in the United States; and WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 children under 18 years of age have a form of arthritis or rheumatic condition, representing approximately 1 in every 250 children in the United States; and WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy more than $128 billion each year, $81 billion in direct medical care costs and $47 billion in indirect costs; and WHEREAS, In California, arthritis costs our state $11.5 billion annually; and WHEREAS, In California there are more than 5.9 million people living with arthritis, including 38,000 children; and WHEREAS, In California, 43 percent of adults with diabetes also have arthritis, 52 percent of adults with cardiovascular disease also have arthritis, and 38 percent of adults with high blood pressure also have arthritis; and WHEREAS, Among working age adults with arthritis in California, 43 percent have some work limitations due to their arthritis; and WHEREAS, An estimated 67 million adults 18 years of age and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature understands the extent of, and sympathizes with, the severity of the impact of arthritis on California; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the month of May 2016 as Arthritis Awareness Month and appreciates the efforts of the Arthritis Foundation to seek access to care for all Californians; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.