By: J. Davis of Harris H.C.R. No. 74
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an
umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory non-reversible asthma,
and some forms of bronchiectasis; and
WHEREAS, In people with COPD the airways and air sacs in the
lungs lose their elastic qualities and can not bounce back to their
original shape and then become swollen and thicker and in some cases
partially blocked or obstructed leading to difficulty breathing and
ultimately to the inability to breathe; and
WHEREAS, Smoking is the main risk factor for developing COPD
as well as second hand smoke exposure, occupational dust, chemical
exposure, air pollution and genetics are also common causes of
COPD; and
WHEREAS, Nationally the COPD Foundation reports that COPD is
responsible for direct and in-direct health care related costs
projected at $49.9 billion in 2010 and that 70% of those costs are
related to hospitalizations; and
WHEREAS, It is also estimated by the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality that one out of five individuals over forty in
the hospital have COPD; and
WHEREAS, In Texas the prevalence of COPD is 5.5% of the total
population and COPD affects individuals across all age groups but
at even higher rates for individuals aged 55-64 at 8.1% and
individuals 65 and over at a shocking 13.3%; and
WHEREAS, The American Association for Respiratory Care
reports that nationally just over half of all persons with COPD
report that their condition limits their ability to work and 34% say
that COPD keeps them from working; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure for COPD, and its lung damage is
irreversible, treatments can improve a patients quality of life by
reducing frequency and severity of exacerbations, prevent symptoms
from growing worse, and improving health status; and
WHEREAS, Treatments for COPD include stopping smoking,
removing air pollutants from home and work, and treating symptoms
with medication and pulmonary rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reports that in 2011 "chronic lower respiratory diseases" which are
included with in the conditions under the umbrella term of COPD are
the third leading cause of death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, That many individuals who experience shortness of
breath or other early symptoms of COPD mistake these symotoms as
being a part of the "normal aging process" and then wait to receive
treatments until the conditions are severe and the lung damage is
significantly more difficult to treat and manage;
WHEREAS, Concerted public outreach efforts such as a
DRIVE4COPD, the nation's largest public awareness and screening
campaign for COPD, and the NHLBI's COPD: Learn More Breathe Better
Campaign, can dramatically improve public awareness of COPD; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That The 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby recognize Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder as a
chronic health condition in Texas which contributes to increasing
health care costs and decreasing productivity of its citizens; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
directs the Texas Department of State Health Services to include
COPD as a chronic health condition in their efforts to address
serious and chronic health conditions in Texas by seeking out and
applying for funding and grants available to provide public
awareness or treatment for COPD in Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
directs the Texas Department of State Health Services to include
COPD as a chronic health condition in their current efforts to
educate the public about the effects of smoking or other
preventable and treatable chronic health conditions; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate November as COPD awareness Month; and, be it
further
RESOLVED That in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.044(d), Government Code, the designation expires on the 10th
anniversary of the date this resolution is passed by the
legislature.