Legislation Document

SPONSOR:	Sen. Cloutier & Rep. Heffernan
Sens. Ennis, Hocker, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 46

RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF JUNE 3-9, 2019 AS "HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic and non-contagious skin disease that appears as boil-like red abscesses that appear in gland-bearing areas; and

WHEREAS, these abscesses can also appear at the nape of the neck, around the waist, on the inner thighs, the front and back of the legs, the back, and the face; and

WHEREAS, individuals with Hidradenitis Suppurativa can experience scarring, chronic pain, and odorous discharge from these abscesses; and

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa can be hard to diagnose, with 62% of patients having to visit seven or more physicians before diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, the average time for a diagnosis for a patient is around 9 years; and

WHEREAS, misdiagnosis is common with 8 of 10 individuals has a misdiagnosis for Hidradenitis Suppurative, often being confused with skin infections, in-grown hairs, and spider bites; and

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa can have major impacts on quality of life with 65% of patients reporting depression, 70% having a low awareness of their disease and how to manage it, and 63% hiding their symptoms; and

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa can occur at any age, but it is less likely to start before puberty or after menopause; and

WHEREAS, women are three times more likely to get Hidradenitis Suppurativa and it has been found that a third of people who are diagnosed with this disease have a family member who also has it; and

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa affects approximately 1% of the population; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no cure for Hidradenitis Suppurativa; and

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week is a global event where those with the condition can come together to raise awareness.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the week of June 3-9, 2019 be recognized as Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week in the State of Delaware.