|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, While overall cancer incidence and mortality rates |
|
are on the decline in the United States, the disease continues to |
|
disproportionately impact the lives of members of minority racial |
|
and ethnic groups; and |
|
WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, African |
|
American men are 36 percent more likely to die from cancer than |
|
white men, and African American women are 17 percent more likely to |
|
die from cancer than their white counterparts; Hispanic Americans |
|
of both sexes have lower rates for the most common cancers, namely |
|
prostate, female breast, colorectal, and lung, but higher rates for |
|
certain types, including liver, cervical, and stomach cancer; and |
|
WHEREAS, These differences are believed to be rooted in |
|
socioeconomic factors, including higher levels of poverty among |
|
some minority groups; as poverty coincides with reduced access to |
|
health insurance, minorities often delay seeking diagnosis and |
|
treatment for health problems, resulting in cancer being detected |
|
at more advanced stages with a far less optimistic prognosis; and |
|
WHEREAS, In 2011, the Texas Legislature designated April as |
|
Minority Cancer Awareness Month in a bill authored by |
|
Representative Ruth Jones McClendon, herself a cancer survivor; |
|
backed by health and advocacy groups across the state and nation, |
|
this important observance serves to raise awareness of the issue of |
|
cancer inequality and the lifesaving power of prevention and early |
|
detection; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby recognize April 2015 as Minority Cancer |
|
Awareness Month and encourage all Texans to learn more about |
|
preventative measures and to seek medical attention at the first |
|
warning signs of cancer. |
|
|
McClendon |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 1444 was adopted by the House on May |
|
21, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|