HOUSE RESOLUTION 85

(By Delegates Mahan, Calvert, Capito, Compton, Douglas, Facemyer, Fleischauer, Fletcher, Hatfield, Houston, Hubbard, Leach, Marshall, Pettit, Smirl, L. Smith, Spencer, Susman, Warner and Yeager)




Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of women's health policy issues in order to promote research, education, and access and to develop positive initiatives for preventive health and healthy lifestyles.

Whereas, Women in West Virginia suffer some of the highest rates of heart disease in the United States and heart disease is the leading cause of death for women; and
Whereas, Twenty-five million Americans suffer from osteoporosis and women lose 20% of their bone mass in the first seven years after menopause; and
Whereas, One out of eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and all types of cancer in women make it the second leading cause of death in West Virginia; and
Whereas, Women over fifty years of age in West Virginia comprise nineteen percent of the population, more than in any other state; and
Whereas, Women are now living more than one-third of their lives after menopause making them more susceptible to other diseases and chronic medical conditions; and
Whereas, Men are usually at higher risk for many fatal diseases, however, women have a higher risk for a number of chronic conditions such as depression and arthritis; and
Whereas, There are a number of other health, social and medical conditions affecting women's health which require study, such as PMS, diabetes, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, sexual assault and domestic violence, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, use of tobacco products, prenatal care and postnatal care, and low birth weight babies; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to review, examine and study women's health policy issues in order to promote research, education, access and to develop positive initiatives for preventive health and healthy lifestyles in West Virginia and to make recommendations to the legislature regarding the same; and be it
Further Resolved, That a particular focus of the study be directed towards medical conditions that significantly impact women, including heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, menopause, PMS, diabetes, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, mental health, sexual assault and domestic violence, substance abuse, sexually transmitted deceases, use of tobacco products, prenatal and postnatal care, and low birth weight babies; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature 2001, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.