[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 206--DESIGNATING AUGUST 2005 AS ``PSORIASIS AWARENESS 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 206

       Whereas psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic, 
     immune-mediated diseases for which there is no cure;
       Whereas more than 5,000,000 men, women, and children in the 
     United States have been diagnosed with either psoriasis or 
     psoriatic arthritis;
       Whereas psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are painful and 
     disabling diseases that have a significant and adverse impact 
     on the quality of life of an individual diagnosed with either 
     of these diseases;
       Whereas the National Institute of Mental Health funded a 
     study that found that psoriasis may cause as much physical 
     and mental disability as other major diseases, including 
     cancer, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and 
     depression;
       Whereas psoriasis is associated with elevated rates of 
     depression and suicidal ideation;
       Whereas each year the people of the United States spend 
     more than $4,000,000,000 to treat psoriasis;
       Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic 
     arthritis may help prevent irreversible joint damage; and
       Whereas treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis presents 
     a challenge for patients and physicians because no 1 
     treatment works for everyone, some treatments lose 
     effectiveness over time, many treatments are used in 
     combination with other treatments, and all treatments may 
     cause a unique set of side effects: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates August 2005 as 
     ``Psoriasis Awareness Month''.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to join the junior Senator from Oregon in 
submitting a resolution designating August 2005 as Psoriasis Awareness 
Month. This awareness month will increase public knowledge about 
psoriasis and aid in efforts in the medical community to diagnose, 
treat, and eventually cure the disease.
  Psoriasis is a non-contagious, immune-mediated, lifelong skin 
disorder. The source of psoriasis is believed to have a genetic 
component which triggers a faster growth cycle of skin cells that 
results in buildup; however, the exact cause is unknown. The severity 
of psoriasis can vary from person to person. For most people, the 
disease appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a 
silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale.
  Psoriatic arthritis is a condition associated with psoriasis. This 
disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and connective 
tissue, which causes stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the 
joints and the tissue around them. Without treatment, psoriatic 
arthritis can be potentially disabling and crippling. Approximately 10 
to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
  Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have been diagnosed in more than 5 
million men, women and children in the United States. Each year, the 
United States spends $4 billion dollars to treat this lifelong disease. 
Furthermore, about 56 million hours of work are lost each year by 
people who suffer from psoriasis, and the National Institute of Mental 
Health has found that psoriasis can cause as much physical and mental 
disability as other major diseases.
  Researchers are still searching for a cure for psoriasis. In the 
meantime, we must continue to support such efforts and raise public 
awareness of the symptoms and available treatments for psoriasis and 
psoriatic arthritis. I hope that my colleagues will join me in this 
effort.

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