Bill Text: CA ACR79 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 79

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Lupus Awareness Month.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 61-17)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-23 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 110, Statutes of 2023. [ACR79 Detail]

Download: California-2023-ACR79-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution

No. 79

Introduced by Assembly Member Connolly

May 15, 2023

Relative to Lupus Awareness Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 79, as introduced, Connolly. Lupus Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of May 2023 as Lupus Awareness Month.

Fiscal Committee: NO

WHEREAS, Systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as lupus, is an acute, chronic, complex, and often life-threatening autoimmune disease; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are 300,000 to 1,500,000 people with lupus in the United States; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are approximately 16,000 new cases each year; and

WHEREAS, Lupus mostly strikes women of childbearing age, and it affects all aspects of their lives. However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus too; and

WHEREAS, Ninety percent of people living with lupus are women. Women of color develop lupus at a rate two to three times the rate that Caucasians develop lupus; and

WHEREAS, Lupus impacts more than just the life of the patient, it affects their family, friends, coworkers, employer, and the community; and

WHEREAS, Lupus can be particularly difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to symptoms of other illnesses; and

WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and proper treatments are critical to the improvement of the quality of life and survival rate of people with lupus; and

WHEREAS, There is no known cause of, or cure for, lupus; and

WHEREAS, There have only been two drugs approved specifically for lupus by the United States Food and Drug Administration in more than 60 years, with over a decade between approvals. The current treatments for the disease can have damaging effects and we recognize an urgent need to increase awareness in the State of California of the debilitating impact of lupus as a significant public health issue; and

WHEREAS, Increased public awareness, education, and research are key to winning the battle against lupus; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That May 2023 is hereby recognized as Lupus Awareness Month; and be it further

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