Bill Text: PA SR280 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating the month of April 2010 as "Celiac Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-23 - Introduced and adopted [SR280 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR280-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1798
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 280 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY ALLOWAY, FERLO, GREENLEAF, BOSCOLA, STACK, WOZNIAK, LOGAN, RAFFERTY, WASHINGTON, ERICKSON, KASUNIC, PILEGGI, DINNIMAN, WAUGH, TARTAGLIONE, BRUBAKER, O'PAKE, PIPPY, EARLL, McILHINNEY AND FONTANA, MARCH 23, 2010
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 23, 2010
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2010 as "Celiac Disease Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease
that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes
with absorption of nutrients from food; and
WHEREAS, Celiac disease is triggered by consumption of the
protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye;
and
WHEREAS, When people with celiac disease eat foods containing
gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the fingerlike
villi of the small intestine; and
WHEREAS, When the villi become damaged, the body is unable to
absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, which can lead to
malnourishment; and
WHEREAS, Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue,
nontropical sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy; and
WHEREAS, Researchers have determined that celiac disease is a
genetic condition, meaning that it is inherited; and
WHEREAS, In some cases, celiac becomes active or is triggered
by events such as surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral
infection or severe emotional stress; and
WHEREAS, Roughly one out of every 133 Americans has celiac
disease, but 97% remain undiagnosed, which means that almost
three million Americans have celiac disease and only about
100,000 know they have it; and
WHEREAS, Left untreated, people with celiac disease can
develop further complications, such as other autoimmune
diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and cancer; and
WHEREAS, There are a number of medical problems that are
associated with undiagnosed celiac disease, including cancer,
osteoporosis, diabetes Type 1, thyroid problems and reproductive
health issues; and
WHEREAS, The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong
gluten-free diet; and
WHEREAS, A gluten-free diet means avoiding all foods that
contain wheat, including spelt, triticale, kamut and rye; and
WHEREAS, Despite these restrictions, people with celiac
disease can eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods,
including bread and pasta. For example, instead of wheat flour,
people can use potato, rice, soy or bean flour. Or, they can buy
gluten-free bread, pasta and other products from specialty food
companies; and
WHEREAS, The residents of this Commonwealth should be aware
of celiac disease and its treatment; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2010
as "Celiac Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
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