HLS 181ES-173 ORIGINAL
2018 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY REPRESENTATIVE MORENO
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes February 2018 as Self-Care Month in
Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize February 2018 as Self-Care Month in Louisiana.
3 WHEREAS, self-care involves the lifelong cultivation of daily habits for healthy
4living and includes healthy lifestyle choices, good hygiene practices, nutritious diet, regular
5exercise, prevention of infection and illness, the avoidance of unhealthy choices, continuous
6monitoring for signs and symptoms of changes in health, knowledge of when to consult a
7healthcare practitioner, and knowledge of when it is appropriate to self-treat symptoms and
8conditions; and
9 WHEREAS, self-care includes making responsible use of all medications, both
10prescription and over-the-counter; and
11 WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration deems over-the-
12counter medicines to be safe and effective for the treatment of minor acute and chronic
13health symptoms such as pain, the common cold, allergies, and other conditions; and
14 WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines are either developed as new nonprescription
15medicines or are switched from existing prescription medicines; and
16 WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines are self-care products that consumers
17purchase in pharmacies, supermarkets, and retail stores and from online vendors; and
18 WHEREAS, every dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines saves the United
19States healthcare system six to seven dollars, totaling 102 billion dollars in annual savings;
20and
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HR NO. 5
1 WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines eliminate unnecessary medical
2examinations, thus helping to ease the burden on healthcare practitioners; and
3 WHEREAS, increased practices of self-care can improve personal and public health,
4save money, and strengthen the broader healthcare system; and
5 WHEREAS, Louisiana benefits when its citizens practice appropriate self-care; and
6 WHEREAS, achieving self-care's potential represents a shared opportunity for
7consumers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and regulators.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
9Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize February 2018 as self-care month in the state
10of Louisiana; does hereby recognize the importance of improving awareness of self-care
11among the citizens of Louisiana; and does hereby support increased consumer empowerment
12through the development of new over-the-counter medicines and the increased use of non-
13prescription medicines in appropriate circumstances.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives hereby encourages
15consumers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to communicate the
16benefits of self-care to the citizens of the state of Louisiana.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 5 Original 2018 First Extraordinary Session Moreno
Recognizes February 2018 as Self-Care Month in La.
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