Bill Text: CA ACR173 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 173

Bill Title: APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 59-14)

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 71, Statutes of 2024. [ACR173 Detail]

Download: California-2023-ACR173-Chaptered.html

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 173

CHAPTER 71

Relative to APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day.

[ Filed with Secretary of State May 30, 2024. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 173, Bains. APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day.

This measure would encourage each individual in the United States to become better informed and aware of kidney disease and APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). The measure would encourage people from or with ancestry from Western and Central Africa to consider genetic testing for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene mutations. The measure would designate the last Tuesday of every April as APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day.

Fiscal Committee: NO

WHEREAS, Kidney disease affects an estimated 37,000,000 Americans, and more than 550,000 are on dialysis; and

WHEREAS, Black people with kidney disease are more likely to develop kidney failure than any other racial or ethnic group; and

WHEREAS, The health disparities in kidney failure are unsustainable, with Black people making up to 13 percent of the United States population but accounting for 35 percent of those with kidney failure; and

WHEREAS, Kidney failure places enormous physical, emotional, and financial burdens on individuals and costs the Medicare program over $50 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, There are genetic factors that can increase an individual’s risk for kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, One such genetic factor is having variants (mutations) in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene; and

WHEREAS, People are more likely to have APOL1 gene variants if they are from Western or Central Africa or have an ancestor who came from these regions; and

WHEREAS, These variants can increase susceptibility for APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), a rapidly progressive form of kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that if a patient has variants in both copies of the APOL1 gene, there is a one in five chance they will go on to develop kidney disease, and an estimated 13 percent of Black Americans have variants in both copies of the APOL1 gene; and

WHEREAS, A person with AMKD may not have any symptoms of kidney disease until their kidneys are close to failing; and

WHEREAS, Genetic testing can reveal an individual’s risk for AMKD, empowering them to take the steps necessary to protect their kidney health before it is too late; and

WHEREAS, Individuals who are found to have APOL1 genetic variants can reduce their risk for kidney failure by meeting with their doctor regularly, eating a healthy diet, taking all medications as prescribed, exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, and not smoking or using tobacco; and

WHEREAS, Additional awareness and research of APOL1 genetic mutations are needed to improve understanding of the kidney disease disparities in this population; and

WHEREAS, There are currently no FDA-approved treatments available for AMKD but clinical trials could provide an opportunity for researchers to develop and test safe treatments for AMKD; and

WHEREAS, The Governor’s office can raise public awareness of AMKD; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages each individual in the United States to become better informed and aware of kidney disease and AMKD; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature encourages people from or with ancestry from Western and Central Africa to consider genetic testing for APOL1 gene mutations; and be it further

Resolved, That henceforth the Legislature designates the last Tuesday of every April as APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.