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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 138
BY REPRESENTATIVE SIMON
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the feasibility of
establishing a chronic disease database in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are
among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all health problems.
WHEREAS, chronic diseases are among the leading causes of death and
hospitalizations in the state; and
WHEREAS, these conditions shorten lives, reduce quality of life, and create
considerable burden for caregivers; and
WHEREAS, a cornerstone of the plan developed by the Study Group on Chronic
Care Management in the Community which was created by House Resolution No. 125 of
the 2011 Regular Session of the Legislature is the creation of a statewide database for
chronic disease; and
WHEREAS, the database is envisioned to be a catalogue of existing state indicators,
including risk factors and trends, relevant to chronic disease; and
WHEREAS, health care providers in the state would have access to the statewide
database to examine the health of Louisiana residents, allowing them to more appropriately
target key areas for additional research, intervention, and care; and
WHEREAS, the database would provide a more direct determination of the
distribution pattern of chronic disease throughout Louisiana which would steer research
toward better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases; and
WHEREAS, the statutory purpose of the Department of Health and Hospitals is the
development and provision of health and medical services for the prevention of disease for
the citizens of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the department's philosophy on chronic disease prevention is the
improvement of the health of Louisiana by preventing chronic diseases and their risk factors ENROLLEDHR NO. 138
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through promoting healthy behaviors, utilizing evidence-based interventions, and leveraging
resources through collaborative private/public partnerships to maximize health outcomes
among our citizens; and
WHEREAS, a primary objective in the development and provision of health and
medical services is improving health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, a statewide database that collects, stores, and displays information on
chronic diseases and their risk factors would aid in the research, development, and
implementation of strategies that reduce the health and economic consequences caused by
chronic diseases in the state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the feasibility of
establishing a database for chronic disease in Louisiana, building on the guidance provided
by the Study Group on Chronic Care Management in the Community in its February 2012
plan submitted to the Louisiana House of Representatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and Hospitals shall
make a written report of its findings to the House of Representatives on or before February
1, 2013.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES