HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 108

DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2022 AS ALOPECIA AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, alopecia is defined as the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows and can be either temporary or permanent; and

WHEREAS, there are multiple types of alopecia including androgenic alopecia, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis, and more; and

WHEREAS, alopecia of any type can affect all genders equally and can affect people of all ages and walks of life; and

WHEREAS, Alopecia Areata affects as many as 6.8 million people in America and causes hair loss which can range from patches of hair, typically circular and coin-size, to complete hair loss, otherwise known as Alopecia Totalis; and

WHEREAS, while there is no known cause for this autoimmune disease, several factors seem to contribute; some evidence shows genes which control T regulator cells may be involved in Alopecia Areata, and patients who have other autoimmune diseases like autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) or autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), may be predictive of poor outcomes with treatment; and

WHEREAS, although there is no known cure, it is generally possible for Alopecia Areata patients to regrow hair because the hair follicle is not totally destroyed or scarred as it is with cicatricial (scarring) alopecias; and

WHEREAS, bringing awareness to this disease is designed to help those experiencing hair loss remain confident and positive, despite their condition; hair loss often carries a stigma that can only be dispelled with education and knowledge, and for many with this disease, the emotional aspect of living with hair loss can be the greatest challenge; and

WHEREAS, during the month of September, many communities across America will be holding special events to bring awareness to this disease, and minor and major league baseball teams have joined in helping NAAF get the word out that it is nothing to be ashamed of; and

WHEREAS, The National Institutes of Health and other organizations are continuously supporting research that may one day put an end to this disease; currently, researchers are studying the development of hair follicles in hopes of finding treatments which will address the cause of this disease and investigating genetic clues with the hopes of developing therapies and early intervention strategies.

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 September is recognized as Alopecia Awareness Month

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon citizens, government agencies, and others to end the stigma around alopecia and better support those who feel ashamed for suffering from a common illness.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution recognizes the month of September 2022 as Alopecia Awareness Month.