Hawaii House Bill HCR28

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/23
• Refer: 3/3/23
• Report Pass: 3/9/23
• Engrossed: 3/9/23
• Refer: 3/16/23
• Report Pass: 4/19/23
• Passed: 4/20/23

Caption

Designating The Month Of March As Hawaii Kidney Awareness Month.

Impact

The resolution aims to increase awareness and education about CKD within the community, emphasizing that early detection and treatment are crucial in managing the disease. It points out alarming statistics that showcase the rising incidence of end-stage kidney disease, particularly among vulnerable populations such as Black Americans, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians, who are disproportionately affected by this health crisis. Promoting awareness and proactive health measures is seen as essential in mitigating the impact of CKD, especially given Hawaii's higher-than-average kidney failure rates compared to the national average.

Summary

HCR28 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced to designate the month of March as Hawaii Kidney Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the significant health concern posed by chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects millions of individuals across the nation, including a substantial population in Hawaii. The resolution stresses that kidney disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to a larger number of individuals unaware of their condition until it progresses to more severe stages that require serious interventions like dialysis or transplants.

Contention

While HCR28 is largely a consensus resolution promoting awareness, some discussions may revolve around the allocation of resources and health education programs, particularly in underserved communities. There may be ongoing debates about how effectively awareness campaigns can penetrate communities at risk and achieve meaningful outcomes. Additionally, the resolution may prompt discussions about the need for enhanced healthcare initiatives targeting chronic health issues, including diabetes and hypertension, which are the leading contributors to CKD.