HR0906 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Someone develops Alzheimer's disease every 68 seconds; that number will increase to every 33 seconds by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is on the rise, with more than 5.2 million Americans of all ages currently living with the disease; and

WHEREAS, Over $140 billion is spent on Alzheimer's disease every year through Medicare and Medicaid; that number will rise to $1.2 trillion in 2050; and

WHEREAS, Currently, over 210,000 people in Illinois live with the disease; there will be an estimated 14% increase in the next 11 years; and

WHEREAS, The Alzheimer's Association and the Centers for Disease Prevention's Healthy Aging Program have developed a Road Map to advance cognitive health as a vital, integral component of public health; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Public Health Association and the Alzheimer's Association issue a call to action for an effective coordinated approach to moving cognitive health into public health practice and developing partnerships and assuring a competent workforce; and

WHEREAS, The impact of Alzheimer's and other dementia on Illinois families, the health care system, and society as a whole is of great importance; the need for home and community-based services for those with Alzheimer's is on the rise and caregiver stress is at an all-time high; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a looming public health crisis and the need to address cognitive health and to meet the needs of caregivers is growing daily; we call upon policymakers to join in the efforts to raise awareness, promote cognitive functioning and help meet the needs of caregivers and to acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of persons with Alzheimer's and other dementia in Illinois, their families, and caregivers; and

WHEREAS, On April 2, 2014, Alzheimer's and public health advocates will speak up for the needs and rights of persons with cognitive impairment; these advocates ask the Illinois General Assembly to make Alzheimer's disease a priority public health issue in the State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date of April 2, 2014 as Annual Alzheimer's Association and Illinois Public Health Association Advocacy Day in the State of Illinois.