Florida Senate - 2020                            (NP)    SR 1916
       
       
        
       By Senator Rouson
       
       
       
       
       
       19-03595-20                                           20201916__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing September 2020 as “Sickle
    3         Cell Disease Awareness Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most
    6  common inherited blood disorders affecting approximately 100,000
    7  children and adults in the United States, with 1 in 365 African
    8  Americans and 1 in 16,300 Hispanic Americans living with the
    9  disease, and
   10         WHEREAS, more than 8,800 Florida residents live with SCD,
   11  which is the highest number of individuals living with the
   12  disease in any state in the nation, and
   13         WHEREAS, sickle cell disease is a complex genetic disease
   14  involving multicellular adhesion between red blood cells, white
   15  blood cells, platelets, and endothelial cells, often resulting
   16  in vaso-occlusive crises, and
   17         WHEREAS, vaso-occlusive crises are the hallmark of sickle
   18  cell disease, with recurrent episodes inducing severe pain,
   19  decreasing quality of life, and causing life-threatening
   20  complications, including stroke, leading to hospitalization or
   21  death, and
   22         WHEREAS, a vaso-occlusive crisis is the number one reason
   23  individuals living with SCD visit emergency rooms or are
   24  hospitalized for several days, and
   25         WHEREAS, the total estimated lifetime costs for the medical
   26  care of an individual living with SCD who reaches the age of 50
   27  years may range from $1.7 to $8.7 million, with total annual
   28  medical costs for all patients living with SCD estimated to
   29  exceed $1.1 billion, and
   30         WHEREAS, access to care may be challenging for individuals
   31  living with SCD due to a lack of physicians experienced in
   32  treating the disease, and
   33         WHEREAS, many young adults living with SCD who are
   34  transitioning from pediatric care seek treatment in emergency
   35  settings, with hospital readmissions being significantly higher
   36  for patients ages 18 to 30 years compared to younger patients,
   37  and
   38         WHEREAS, only four medications have been approved to treat
   39  complications resulting from SCD, and
   40         WHEREAS, increasing awareness and education of SCD may lead
   41  to significant progress in finding a cure and improving access
   42  to treatment and the quality of care for individuals living with
   43  SCD, NOW, THEREFORE,
   44  
   45  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   46  
   47         That September 2020 is recognized as “Sickle Cell Disease
   48  Awareness Month” in Florida.