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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-226
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 7, 2016
To declare the month of July, 2016 as “Fibroids Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia and to recognize the importance of raising awareness of uterine fibroids.
WHEREAS, uterine fibroids, clinically known as uterine leiomyoma, are the most common benign tumors in the uterus and the single most common indication for hysterectomy;
WHEREAS, the overall incidence of uterine leiomyomas is estimated to be 3-4 times higher in African American women compared to Caucasian women;
WHEREAS, African American women experience uterine fibroids at a rate 3 to 5 times that of the general population, a higher rate than any other ethnic group;
WHEREAS, 3 out of 4 women will have uterine fibroids during their lives, and up to 80% of women by 50 years of age will be affected by uterine fibroids;
WHEREAS, fibroids may cause significant morbidity through their presence in the uterus and pelvic cavity, with these benign tumors creating a significant cause of pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, and reproductive dysfunction;
WHEREAS, in the United States, uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomy, and, consequently, the loss of reproductive potential;
WHEREAS, nearly half of all hysterectomies are performed to address uterine fibroids;
WHEREAS, in the United States, obstetric outcomes that were attributed to fibroid tumors resulted in a cost of $238 million to $7.76 billion annually;
WHEREAS, uterine fibroid tumors were estimated to cost the United States $5.9 billion – 34.4 billion annually and over $5 billion is spent annually on the medical expense of hysterectomy procedures, with $1.6 to $17.2 billion estimated annual lost work cost; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of health seminars, funding opportunities, medical information panels, and community programs would empower and inform residents of the District about uterine fibroids and would encourage earlier diagnosis, more research, better treatment options, and eventually a cure for uterine fibroids.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Fibroids Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and supports Fibroid Awareness Month, urges citizens to learn more about the detection and treatment of uterine fibroids, and declares the month of July, 2016 as “Fibroids Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
