H.R. No. 1500 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to promote better understanding of this health issue and to foster increased support for targeted research; and WHEREAS, "Pulmonary fibrosis" is a term used to describe more than 200 different diseases that involve scar tissue in the lungs; as the scarring destroys the normal lung tissue, it becomes more difficult for oxygen to enter the bloodstream, and this leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, loss of appetite, and fatigue and weakness; and WHEREAS, Multiple causes of the scarring have been identified, including some medications, radiation, environmental triggers, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to harmful inorganic dusts; in cases where a cause cannot be determined, patients are diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; researchers estimate that, in the United States, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis affects 1 out of every 200 adults over the age of 60, and as many as 40,000 Americans die from the disease each year; and WHEREAS, While there is not yet a cure for pulmonary fibrosis, a number of treatments are available to help alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the disease; depending on each patient's unique experience with the condition, doctors may recommend medications, oxygen therapy, exercise, and in rare circumstances, lung transplantation; and WHEREAS, Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious and life-threatening disease, and the observance of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month unites people around the world in their commitment to support the search for a cure and improve the quality of life for patients; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby recognize September 2022 as Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month and urge all Texans to learn more about the disease. Price ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1500 was adopted by the House on May 29, 2021, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House