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COMMITTEE REPORT
May 20, 2009
H. 4054
S. Printed 5/20/09--H.
Read the first time May 14, 2009.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4054) to urge the United States Department of Health and Human Services to educate parents on the importance of adolescent well physicals to prevent chronic diseases, appropriately, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
HERB KIRSH for Committee.
TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO EDUCATE PARENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOLESCENT WELL PHYSICALS TO PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES, APPROPRIATELY INTERVENE TO BETTER TREAT CHRONIC DISEASE, AND UPDATE IMMUNIZATIONS FOR ADOLESCENTS OF THIS STATE AND NATION.
Whereas, during the transition from childhood to adulthood, adolescents often establish unhealthy patterns of behavior and make poor lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health, and eighty percent of adolescents who are obese will remain obese as adults; and
Whereas, adolescence is a critical time to develop positive habits and skills that can lead to healthy lifestyles and behavior over a young person's lifetime; and
Whereas, many young people may not have access to primary health care, and environmental factors such as family, peer group, school, and community characteristics contribute to the challenges they face; and
Whereas, the ACIP, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Practitioners, and the American Medical Association recommend a routine healthcare visit for adolescents aged eleven to twelve to receive recommended immunizations and other evidence-based preventative healthcare services; and
Whereas, the Health Resources and Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services has developed, in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Bright Futures Initiative, which provides a set of guidelines including recommendations on immunizations and routine health screenings for adolescents; and
Whereas, the National Immunization Survey undertaken by the Center for Disease Control found that immunization coverage levels among adolescents in 2006 did not meet the Healthy People 2010 objective of ninety percent coverage for thirteen to fifteen year olds for any of the vaccines measured; and
Whereas, the Society for Adolescent Medicine has found that adolescent well visits are one of the best tools of preventative care to ensure continued health from childhood to adulthood and that children and adolescents who regularly visit a primary care physician are less likely to have emergency room visits and preventable hospitalizations; and
Whereas, because adolescents remain under the guardianship of their parents, parental awareness of the need for an adolescent well visit plays an enormous role in the incidence of adolescent well visits; and
Whereas, it is vital to the future of this great State that its young people remain healthy so that they may make valuable, lasting contributions to their communities and to this nation. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, urge the United States Department of Health and Human Services to educate parents on the importance of adolescent well physicals to prevent chronic diseases, appropriately intervene to better treat chronic disease, and update immunizations for adolescents of this state and nation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Kathleen Sebelius, Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
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