ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 56
BY REPRESENTATIVE SIMON
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To proclaim November 2012 as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) awareness
month in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, chronic
bronchitis, or emphysema, is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and is the
only one of the top five causes of death with rising prevalence and a rising death rate; and
WHEREAS, COPD is a chronic and progressive disease that affects over twenty-four
million individuals in the United States, half of whom have not been properly diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, while a test for COPD known as spirometry facilitates early diagnosis
of the disease and is available for office use, many patients suffering from COPD are not
diagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage; and
WHEREAS, the major risk factor for COPD is smoking, and other risk factors
include environmental exposure to air pollution, industrial irritants, and burned biomass
fuels; and
WHEREAS, COPD can also result from genetic conditions such as Alpha-1
Antitrypsin Deficiency; and
WHEREAS, COPD is considered to be the second leading cause of disability in the
nation; and
WHEREAS, the total annual cost to the nation of COPD in 2010 was estimated to
be forty-nine billion nine hundred million dollars; and
WHEREAS, increased public awareness, early detection, and treatment of COPD are
crucial in prevention or delay of progression of this disease and can lead to reduced costs and
a better quality of life for the people of our state; and
WHEREAS, valuable information on prevention and treatment of COPD is available
on the website of the COPD Foundation, www.copdfoundation.org. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 56
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
proclaim November 2012 as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) awareness
month in Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Louisiana citizens are encouraged to learn
more about the prevention and treatment of COPD.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the president of the COPD Foundation.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE