Supporting the designation of July 2019 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 488 Supporting the designation of July 2019 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 12, 2019 Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia (for himself, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, and Ms. NORTON) submitted the following reso- lution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of July 2019 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month. Whereas fibroids may cause significant morbidity through their presence in the uterus and pelvic cavity, causing significant pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, repro- ductive dysfunction, miscarriages, and even infertility; Whereas the pain, discomfort, stress, and other physical and emotional symptoms of living with fibroids may signifi- cantly interfere with a woman’s quality of life, compro- mising her ability to function normally or work or care for her family, and may lead to more severe health and wellness issues; Whereas uterine fibroids are the most prevalent medical con- dition affecting women, with an estimated 30 percent of VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Jul 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR488.IH HR488 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 488 IH women developing a uterine fibroid by age 35, and 80 percent of women developing a uterine fibroid by age 50; Whereas the exact number of affected women is unknown, as detection and diagnosis is difficult because only 1 out of 4 women who have a uterine fibroid tumor exhibit symp- toms severe enough to require treatment; Whereas the overall incidence of uterine fibroid tumors is es- timated to disproportionately and more severely impact Black and Hispanic women, resulting in an incidence rate that is 3 times greater in women with Black ancestry and 2 times greater in Hispanic women compared to Cauca- sian women; Whereas a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, is among the most common surgical treatments for uterine fibroids, and more than 200,000 hysterectomies are per- formed each year to treat uterine fibroids, at an esti- mated annual cost of more than $2 billion; Whereas uterine fibroid tumors were estimated to cost the United States $5.9 billion to $34.4 billion annually with an estimated annual lost work cost of $1.6 billion to $17.2 billion through absenteeism and short-term dis- ability in women ages 25 to 54; and Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on uter- ine fibroids prevention, screening, and symptoms are held during the month of July each year: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the goals and ideas of Uterine 2 Fibroids Awareness Month; 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Jul 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR488.IH HR488 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 488 IH (2) recognizes the disparity in incidence rates of 1 African-American and Hispanic uterine fibroid pa- 2 tients; 3 (3) recognizes the need for greater research, 4 treatment, and care options regarding uterine 5 leiomyoma; and 6 (4) encourages the President to issue a procla- 7 mation calling upon the people of the United States 8 to observe the month with appropriate awareness 9 and educational activities. 10 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Jul 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR488.IH HR488 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS