Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SJR0025

SJ0025 LRB104 12727 ECR 23699 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Menopause and perimenopause impact every woman in Illinois who lives to reach midlife, affecting 51% of our State population; and

WHEREAS, Women can experience menopause and perimenopause symptoms, including brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, chills, hot flashes, sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety, anywhere between two to ten years; and

WHEREAS, Ninety-four percent of women report being inadequately informed about menopause and other common female health issues; and

WHEREAS, Seventy percent of women who seek medical care for menopause symptoms do not receive the necessary treatment, and only 19% of women aged 40 to 60 receive a menopause diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, Seventy-three percent of women are not treating their menopause symptoms, leading to unnecessary health risks and economic burdens; and

WHEREAS, The long-term effects of untreated perimenopause and menopause symptoms can increase risks for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes; and

WHEREAS, Training in the delivery of menopause care for medical students and physicians is severely lacking, and there are fewer than 100 physicians certified as menopause health professionals in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated about $150 billion is lost globally due to menopause symptoms affecting worker productivity; and

WHEREAS, Many critical questions about caring for women experiencing menopause remain unanswered due to a lack of research; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and the Illinois Council of Women and Girls have made this topic a priority in their work and aim to lead the nation in advocating for perimenopause and menopause policies; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative to raise awareness about the expansive effects that menopause and perimenopause have on women's health and how women can advocate for themselves; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we declare October 12 through October 18, 2025 as Menopause Awareness Week in the State of Illinois.