SPONSOR:

Rep. Minor-Brown & Sen. Pinkney & Rep. S. Moore & Rep. Dorsey Walker

Reps. Baumbach, K. Johnson, Lynn; Sens. Hansen, Pettyjohn

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 98

SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF JULY 2022 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, reproductive dysfunction, miscarriages, and even infertility; and

WHEREAS, the pain, discomfort, stress, and other physical and emotional symptoms of living with fibroids may significantly interfere with a woman’s quality of life, compromising her ability to function normally, work, or care for her family, and may lead to more severe health and wellness issues; and

WHEREAS, uterine fibroids are the most prevalent medical condition affecting women, with an estimated 30 percent of women developing a uterine fibroid by age 35, and 80 percent of women developing a uterine fibroid by age 50; and

WHEREAS, the exact number of affected women is unknown, as early detection and diagnosis are difficult because only 1 out of 4 women who have a uterine fibroid exhibit symptoms severe enough to require treatment; and

WHEREAS, the overall incidence of uterine fibroids is estimated to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic women, who also experience more severe symptoms, resulting in an incidence rate that is 3 times greater in women with Black ancestry and 2 times greater in Hispanic women compared to Caucasian women; and

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 estimated annual cost of more than $2,000,000,000; and

WHEREAS, uterine fibroids were estimated to cost the United States $5,900,000,000 to $34,400,000,000 annually with an estimated annual lost work cost of $1,600,000,000 to $17,200,000,000 through absenteeism and short-term disability in women ages 25 to 54; and

WHEREAS, public awareness and education campaigns on uterine fibroids prevention, screening, and symptoms are held during the month of July each year.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 151 st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the General Assembly:

(1) supports the goals and ideals of Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month;

(2) recognizes the disparity in incidence rates for Black and Hispanic uterine fibroid patients;

(3) recognizes the need for greater research, treatment, and care options regarding uterine leiomyoma; and

(4) encourages the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of Delaware to observe the month with appropriate awareness and educational activities.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution designates July 2022 as "Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month" and encourages public awareness of the effects of fibroids on many individuals' lives.