Bill Text: CA ACR28 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 49-29)

Status: (Passed) 2009-07-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 63, Statutes of 2009. [ACR28 Detail]

Download: California-2009-ACR28-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: ACR 28	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ma

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2009

   Relative to Eating Disorders Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 28, as introduced, Ma. Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
   This measure would recognize the week of February 22 through
February 28, 2009, as Eating Disorders Awareness Week and would
encourage citizens and policymakers to learn more about eating
disorders and the obstacles to treatment, and to help people overcome
and prevent these life-threatening diseases. This measure also would
urge the State Department of Public Health to undertake specified
studies relating to eating disorders and make necessary or
appropriate recommendation for legislation.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Ten million women and one million men across the country
are battling illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia, and millions
more are suffering from binge eating disorder; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 3.6 million women in California alone
struggle with an eating disorder; and
   WHEREAS, Anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating are problems
that are misunderstood, stigmatized, underfunded, and undertreated;
and
   WHEREAS, Anorexia is the psychiatric disorder with the highest
mortality rate; and
   WHEREAS, Anorexia is linked to an 18-fold increase in the risk of
death, with up to 20 percent of sufferers dying of malnutrition and
suicide; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders are associated with substantial
psychological problems, including depression, substance abuse, and
suicide; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders can lead to major medical complications,
including cardiac arrhythmia, cognitive impairment, certain cancers,
osteoporosis, infertility, kidney failure, and death; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders affect persons of every race, color,
gender, and socioeconomic category; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders are increasing among younger age groups
and affect children as young as seven years of age; and
   WHEREAS, Media pressures and genetic, social, and familial factors
are all known to be related to eating disorders; and
   WHEREAS, Many doctors feel pressured to prematurely discharge
patients with anorexia nervosa, placing patients in life-threatening
situations, because many insurance companies disallow or limit
reimbursements for treating eating disorders; and
   WHEREAS, Many insurance companies continue to make a common
practice of delaying care, which leads to more severe symptoms at
admission, and prematurely terminating treatment of eating disorders,
even though these factors are linked to high rates of relapse; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders are treatable when diagnosed early and
treated sufficiently; and
   WHEREAS, Eating disorders have become a public health crisis that
should be treated as seriously as the obesity epidemic; and
   WHEREAS, The government should take a proactive role in developing
preventive education, improving access to care for all forms of
eating disorders, including binge eating and extreme dieting, and
making treatment available for persons already suffering with eating
disorders; and
   WHEREAS, The California Legislature is concerned with preserving
and protecting the health of the state's citizens; now, therefore, be
it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the week of
February 22 through February 28, 2009, as Eating Disorders Awareness
Week, and encourages citizens and policymakers to learn more about
eating disorders and the obstacles to treatment, and to help people
overcome and prevent these life-threatening diseases; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health is urged to
undertake a study of the public health impact of eating disorders in
California, and the need for programs or policies to enhance
education, awareness, detection, and prevention of these diseases in
the general population; and be it further
   Resolved, That the State Department of Public Health is urged to
undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems
mentioned in this resolution, or related thereto, and recommend any
necessary or appropriate legislation; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.