HR0913 LRB096 20528 DRJ 36214 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages
3 the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients
4 from food; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the
6 world; originally thought to be a rare childhood syndrome,
7 celiac disease is now known to be a common genetic disorder;
8 and
 
9     WHEREAS, More than two million people in the United States
10 have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people; and
 
11     WHEREAS, People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate
12 gluten, a protein present in wheat, rye, and barley; gluten is
13 found mainly in foods, but may also be found in everyday
14 products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms; and
 
15     WHEREAS, People with celiac disease may have no symptoms
16 but can still develop complications of the disease over time;
17 long-term complications include malnutrition, which can lead
18 to anemia, osteoporosis, and miscarriage, and other problems
19 such as liver diseases and cancers of the intestine; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds it in the public

 

 

HR0913 - 2 - LRB096 20528 DRJ 36214 r

1 interest to raise awareness of celiac disease; the Department
2 of Public Health is charged with promoting public awareness of
3 various matters affecting the health and well-being of Illinois
4 residents; therefore, be it
 
5     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7 urge the Department of Public Health to take appropriate steps
8 to raise public awareness of celiac disease; and be it further
 
9     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this Resolution be
10 delivered to the Governor and the Director of Public Health.