GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

H                                                                                                                                                   D

HOUSE DRH80253-LG-151  (02/10)

Short Title:        Designate Psoriasis Awareness Month.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representative Gulley.
Referred to:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT designating the month of august as psoriasis awareness month.

Whereas, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic, autoimmune diseases for which there is no cure; and

Whereas, as many as 7,500,000 men, women, and children in the United States have been diagnosed with either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis; and

Whereas, as many as 210,000 people in North Carolina alone have been diagnosed with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis; and

Whereas, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are painful and disabling diseases that have a significant and adverse impact on the quality of life of an individual diagnosed with either of these diseases; and

Whereas, the National Institute of Mental Health funded a study that found that psoriasis may cause as much physical and mental disability as other major diseases, including cancer, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and depression; and

Whereas, psoriasis is associated with elevated rates of depression and suicidal ideation; and

Whereas, total direct and indirect health costs of psoriasis are calculated at over $11,250,000,000 annually; and

Whereas, early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis may help prevent irreversible joint damage; and

Whereas, treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis presents a challenge for patients and physicians because no one treatment works for everyone, some treatments lose effectiveness over time, many treatments are used in combination with other treatments, and all treatments may cause a unique set of side effects; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 103-12.  Psoriasis Awareness Month.

The month of August of each year is designated as Psoriasis Awareness Month in North Carolina."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.