SR-146, As Adopted by Senate, May 14, 2014

            Senators Johnson, Hildenbrand, Bieda and Ananich offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 146.

            A resolution to declare May 2014 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Hepatitis is a known public health threat and is known to be caused by many viruses; and

            Whereas, Chronic viral hepatitis due to hepatitis C has been a disease that has little or no public awareness due to its nature as being largely asymptomatic until irreversible liver damage has occurred; and

            Whereas, Hepatitis C currently infects nearly 4 million Americans, including an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Michiganders, and there are about 30,000 new cases and approximately 10,000 deaths each year in the United States; and

            Whereas, The financial consequences of hepatitis C is approximately $7.5 million per 100,000 people; and

            Whereas, Hepatitis C is largely not reported, and the public is uninformed about the virus, thus making it difficult to determine its true impact and reach; and

            Whereas, In the absence of a vaccine for hepatitis C, emphasis must be placed on other means of disease prevention, including education of health care workers, emergency services workers, veterans, and the general public; and

            Whereas, Hepatitis C has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a disease of primary concern to humanity; and

            Whereas, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the state, local, and national levels to support the patients as well as their families; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize May 2014 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We urge the citizens of this state to educate themselves about the causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for hepatitis C throughout this month and every month.