H. C. R. No. 31 As Introduced

As Introduced

128th General Assembly

Regular Session

2009-2010

H. C. R. No. 31

Representative Boyd

Cosponsor: Speaker Budish

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To designate the month of September 2009 as 1
"Atherosclerosis Awareness Month." 2

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE SENATE CONCURRING):

       WHEREAS, Ohio strives to improve the health and well-being of 3
its citizens in recognizing the importance of fighting chronic 4
diseases, such as coronary heart disease; and 5

       WHEREAS, According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood 6
Institute in the National Institutes of Health, coronary heart 7
disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The 8
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 9
that this disease contributes to about one of every five deaths 10
nationally and heart disease, in general, was the cause of death 11
of 27,886 Ohioans in 2006 alone; and 12

       WHEREAS, The American Heart Association estimates that the 13
direct and indirect cost of treating coronary heart disease in 14
this country in 2009 will be $165.4 billion, with a staggering 15
one-fourth of the total cost of United States hospital care 16
attributable to all cardiovascular diseases; and 17

       WHEREAS, Coronary heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, 18
the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the progressive 19
build-up of plaque; and 20

       WHEREAS, Atherosclerosis can cause heart attack and stroke 21
and accounts for nearly three-fourths of all deaths from 22
cardiovascular disease, according to the Framington Heart Study, a 23
project of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and 24

       WHEREAS, Because no symptoms may present until an artery 25
becomes completely blocked or severely narrowed, atherosclerosis 26
is difficult to detect; and 27

       WHEREAS, It is critical that Ohioans regularly visit their 28
physicians to identify and discuss controllable and uncontrollable 29
risk factors that contribute to the onset and progression of 30
atherosclerosis and to become educated about how this condition 31
can be prevented and treated; and 32

       WHEREAS, Leaders in the cardiovascular community, including 33
more than fifteen national not-for-profit organizations dedicated 34
to improving cardiovascular health, are supporting the national 35
campaign--"US AGAINST ATHERO"--and its tour throughout the 36
country, including in Ohio; and 37

       WHEREAS, It is the goal of these leaders to raise awareness 38
of atherosclerosis and encourage Ohioans to become advocates for 39
their own health and fellow citizens, by among other activities, 40
visiting the Internet web site, <http://www.usagainstathero.com>, 41
to obtain information and guide conversations with their 42
physicians about atherosclerosis; now therefore be it 43

       RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 128th General Assembly 44
of the State of Ohio, designate September 2009 as "Atherosclerosis 45
Awareness Month" in Ohio to support the goal of the national 46
campaign and recognize the importance of raising public awareness 47
about this life-threatening but preventable and treatable 48
condition; and be it further 49

       RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 50
transmit a duly authenticated copy of this resolution to the 51
Governor and the news media of Ohio. 52

WHEREAS, Ohio strives to improve the health and well-being of	3
its citizens in recognizing the importance of fighting chronic	4
diseases, such as coronary heart disease; and	5

WHEREAS, According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood	6
Institute in the National Institutes of Health, coronary heart	7
disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The	8
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports	9
that this disease contributes to about one of every five deaths	10
nationally and heart disease, in general, was the cause of death	11
of 27,886 Ohioans in 2006 alone; and	12

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association estimates that the	13
direct and indirect cost of treating coronary heart disease in	14
this country in 2009 will be $165.4 billion, with a staggering	15
one-fourth of the total cost of United States hospital care	16
attributable to all cardiovascular diseases; and	17

WHEREAS, Coronary heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis,	18
the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the progressive	19
build-up of plaque; and	20

WHEREAS, Atherosclerosis can cause heart attack and stroke	21
and accounts for nearly three-fourths of all deaths from	22
cardiovascular disease, according to the Framington Heart Study, a	23
project of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and	24

WHEREAS, Because no symptoms may present until an artery	25
becomes completely blocked or severely narrowed, atherosclerosis	26
is difficult to detect; and	27

WHEREAS, It is critical that Ohioans regularly visit their	28
physicians to identify and discuss controllable and uncontrollable	29
risk factors that contribute to the onset and progression of	30
atherosclerosis and to become educated about how this condition	31
can be prevented and treated; and	32

WHEREAS, Leaders in the cardiovascular community, including	33
more than fifteen national not-for-profit organizations dedicated	34
to improving cardiovascular health, are supporting the national	35
campaign--"US AGAINST ATHERO"--and its tour throughout the	36
country, including in Ohio; and	37

WHEREAS, It is the goal of these leaders to raise awareness	38
of atherosclerosis and encourage Ohioans to become advocates for	39
their own health and fellow citizens, by among other activities,	40
visiting the Internet web site, <http://www.usagainstathero.com>,	41
to obtain information and guide conversations with their	42
physicians about atherosclerosis; now therefore be it	43

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 128th General Assembly	44
of the State of Ohio, designate September 2009 as "Atherosclerosis	45
Awareness Month" in Ohio to support the goal of the national	46
campaign and recognize the importance of raising public awareness	47
about this life-threatening but preventable and treatable	48
condition; and be it further	49

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives	50
transmit a duly authenticated copy of this resolution to the	51
Governor and the news media of Ohio.	52