HR0704 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0704 LRB102 26534 LAW 37130 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, March is recognized as National Kidney Month, an important opportunity to raise public awareness and understanding of rare kidney diseases, such as Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) mediated kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, APOL1 genetic variants account for much of the excess risk of chronic and end stage kidney disease for persons of African ancestry, including people who identify as African American, Afro Caribbean, and Latinx; and

WHEREAS, APOL1 explains the disproportionate rate of kidney disease in people of African ancestry; African Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population but account for 32% of all kidney failure and 35% of all end stage kidney disease; in addition, African Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney failure than white Americans; and

WHEREAS, APOL1 mediated kidney disease is driven by genetic factors and is underdiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, APOL1 symptoms do not present until kidney damage is advanced; symptoms include fatigue, swelling in the legs and feet, and weight gain, among others; and

WHEREAS, Increasing public awareness and understanding of the genetic causes of rare kidney disease could lead to early diagnosis and care for some of the most vulnerable populations and empower and educate those at risk on how they can manage it; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of March 2022 as Rare Kidney Disease Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.