Florida Senate - 2018                            (NP)    SR 1922
       
       
        
       By Senator Grimsley
       
       
       
       
       
       26-02774-18                                           20181922__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing March 2018 as “Endometriosis
    3         Awareness Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, endometriosis is a disease of the female
    6  reproductive system, and
    7         WHEREAS, endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that
    8  normally found in the uterus begins to grow outside of the
    9  uterus, leading to chronic, debilitating pelvic pain, and
   10         WHEREAS, endometriosis is a leading cause of female
   11  infertility, and
   12         WHEREAS, endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of
   13  childbearing age in the United States, and
   14         WHEREAS, there is an average of a 10-year delay from the
   15  onset of symptoms to the final diagnosis of endometriosis, and
   16         WHEREAS, in 2010, endometriosis patients in the United
   17  States were hospitalized 105,123 days because of their disease,
   18  and
   19         WHEREAS, women with endometriosis can lose 11 hours per
   20  work week through lost productivity and absenteeism due to pain,
   21  and
   22         WHEREAS, 51 percent of endometriosis patients report that
   23  their disease detrimentally affects their work, and
   24         WHEREAS, the estimated total annual societal burden of
   25  endometriosis-related symptoms in the United States is $56
   26  billion, or $10,824 per patient, and
   27         WHEREAS, there is no cure for endometriosis, and
   28         WHEREAS, more research is necessary to develop treatment
   29  options to manage this debilitating disease, and
   30         WHEREAS, providers traditionally have focused on managing
   31  the associated pain with oral contraceptives, progestins,
   32  danazol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and GnRH
   33  agonists, many of which are not specifically indicated for the
   34  treatment of endometriosis, and in more severe cases, surgical
   35  interventions, such as laparotomy or laparoscopy, are pursued,
   36  and
   37         WHEREAS, such treatment may not be curative for all
   38  individuals, and
   39         WHEREAS, education is important for promoting awareness of
   40  symptoms and early detection and diagnosis of endometriosis,
   41  NOW, THEREFORE,
   42  
   43  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   44  
   45         That March 2018 is recognized as “Endometriosis Awareness
   46  Month,” and the residents of this state are encouraged to
   47  observe the month with related awareness and educational
   48  campaigns.
   49         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is
   50  encouraged to make available online resources and current
   51  information on endometriosis, including disease prevalence,
   52  symptoms, and treatment options.