Bill Summary
This resolution expresses support for the designation of September 2020 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease. The resolution highlights the significant impact of sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder, on individuals and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs. It also recognizes the increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 for individuals with sickle cell disease. The resolution urges the American people to hold appropriate programs, events, and activities during September to raise awareness and support for those affected by sickle cell disease.
Possible Impacts
1. Increased awareness and education: This legislation could lead to increased awareness and education about sickle cell disease among the general public. This could have a positive impact on people with the disease, as it may lead to better understanding and support from their communities.
2. Improved access to treatment: By recognizing the need for research and effective treatments for sickle cell disease, this legislation could potentially lead to increased resources and funding being allocated towards finding a cure or more effective treatments. This could greatly benefit people with the disease, as it may improve their quality of life and life expectancy.
3. Reduced stigma and discrimination: By acknowledging the prevalence of sickle cell disease and its impact on various communities, this legislation could help reduce stigma and discrimination towards those with the disease. This could improve the overall well-being and mental health of people with sickle cell disease.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 706 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 706
Expressing support for the designation of September 2020 as ``Sickle
Cell Disease Awareness Month'' in order to educate communities across
the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research,
early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care
programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and
conditions related to sickle cell disease.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 17, 2020
Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mrs. Hyde-Smith,
Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr.
Cassidy, Mr. Jones, Mr. Braun, Mr. Coons, Mr. Young, Ms. Warren, and
Mr. Lankford) submitted the following resolution; which was considered
and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of September 2020 as ``Sickle
Cell Disease Awareness Month'' in order to educate communities across
the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research,
early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care
programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and
conditions related to sickle cell disease.
Whereas sickle cell disease (referred to in this preamble as ``SCD'') is an
inherited blood disorder that is a major health problem in the United
States and worldwide;
Whereas SCD causes the rapid destruction of sickle cells, which results in
multiple medical complications, including anemia, jaundice, gallstones,
strokes, restricted blood flow, damaged tissue in the liver, spleen, and
kidneys, and death;
Whereas SCD causes acute and chronic episodes of severe pain;
Whereas SCD affects an estimated 100,000 individuals in the United States;
Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with SCD each year in the United
States, with the disease occurring in approximately 1 in 365 newborn
African-American infants and 1 in 16,300 newborn Hispanic-American
infants, and can be found in individuals of Mediterranean, Middle
Eastern, Asian, and Indian origin;
Whereas more than 3,000,000 individuals in the United States have the sickle
cell trait and 1 in 13 African Americans carries the trait;
Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both have the
sickle cell trait will have the disease;
Whereas the life expectancy of an individual with SCD is often severely limited;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported, based on
the evidence available as of September 2020, that individuals of all
ages who are affected by SCD are at increased risk of developing severe
illness from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);
Whereas, while hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (commonly known as
``HSCT'') is currently the only cure for SCD and advances in treating
the associated complications of SCD have occurred, more research is
needed to find widely available treatments and cures to help individuals
with SCD; and
Whereas September 2020 has been designated as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness
Month in order to educate communities across the United States about
SCD, including early detection methods, effective treatments, and
preventative care programs with respect to complications from SCD and
conditions related to SCD: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease
Awareness Month; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to hold
appropriate programs, events, and activities during Sickle Cell
Disease Awareness Month to raise public awareness of
preventative care programs, treatments, and other patient
services for those suffering from sickle cell disease,
complications from sickle cell disease, and conditions related
to sickle cell disease.
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