| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3281 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 381 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Esteves of the 35th, James of the 28th, Kemp of the 38th, Halpern of the 39th, |
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| 4 | 4 | | Parent of the 44th and others |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Recognizing March 2025 as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month; and for other purposes. |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks2 |
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| 9 | 9 | | healthy cells and tissues, affecting more than 50 million Americans and millions more3 |
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| 10 | 10 | | individuals worldwide; and4 |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, there are over 100 identified autoimmune diseases, many of which5 |
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| 12 | 12 | | disproportionately impact women, who make up approximately 80 percent of individuals6 |
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| 13 | 13 | | affected; and7 |
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| 14 | 14 | | WHEREAS, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) disproportionately affects Black women,8 |
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| 15 | 15 | | who are at greater risk of experiencing more severe symptoms and are three times more9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | likely to develop the disease compared to women of other groups; and10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, Black women are also at an increased risk for other autoimmune diseases,11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | including sarcoidosis and polymyositis, which can lead to severe health complications; and12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | S. R. 381 |
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| 20 | 20 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3281 |
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| 21 | 21 | | WHEREAS, autoimmune diseases contribute to significant health disparities for Black |
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| 22 | 22 | | 13 |
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| 23 | 23 | | women, resulting in a critical need for increased awareness, research, and access to equitable14 |
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| 24 | 24 | | healthcare; and15 |
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| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | public and healthcare professionals about autoimmune diseases, their impact on Black17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | women, and the importance of early detection and intervention; and18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, supporting organizations dedicated to autoimmune disease advocacy, education,19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | and research is essential to improving outcomes for those affected.20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | recognize March 2025 as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month and acknowledge the22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | disproportionate impact of autoimmune diseases on Black women.23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | press.26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | S. R. 381 |
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| 37 | 37 | | - 2 - |
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