SJR28

A Joint Resolution declaring March of each year as "Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month."

Whereas, Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common but serious medical condition that occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms inside a deep vein, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation; approximately 2,000,000 Americans are affected by DVT each year, and 600,000 of those are hospitalized for the condition; and

Whereas, A complication of DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), can occur when a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of a vein and travels to the lungs, blocking the pulmonary artery or one of its branches; and

Whereas, Even though PE may be the most common, preventable cause of hospital death in the United States, 200,000 individuals who develop the condition each year will die unnecessarily, more than the number of Americans who die as a result of AIDS, breast cancer and motor vehicle accidents combined; and

Whereas, Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling and increased temperature, tenderness, discoloration or redness of the affected area; however, as many as half of all DVT episodes produce minimal symptoms or those that are completely silent; and a number of other conditions (muscle strains, skin infections, phlebitis) display similar symptoms to those of DVT, so that the condition may be difficult to diagnose without specific tests; and

Whereas, While most victims of DVT are elderly, the condition can strike anyone at risk, including cancer, stroke, heart or respiratory patients, individuals with clotting disorders or inflammatory disease, pregnant women, women who take oral contraceptives or are using post menopausal hormone replacement therapy, individuals who are obese, or those undergoing major surgery, such as joint replacement, who remain immobile in bed; and

Whereas, Most Americans are unaware of DVT, its symptoms, its risk factors or the fact that it is the number one cause of unexpected hospital deaths in the United States, making DVT a major public health concern; and

Whereas, Even though DVT is preventable and treatable with early diagnosis, only one-third of hospitalized patients with risk factors for blood clots receive preventive treatment; the routine use in hospitals of simple, well established and effective methods of DVT prevention would help save the lives of thousands of Americans each year; and

Whereas, National Broadcasting Company correspondent David Bloom died of a pulmonary embolism while covering the war in Iraq, and his widow Melanie Bloom and more than 35 members of the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis are working together to raise public awareness of this silent killer; and

Whereas, The declaration of March as "Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey will honor the memory of the late David Bloom, help the public understand that awareness of the immediate and long-term dangers of DVT and the preventability of the condition is critical in reducing the risk of DVT, and draw attention to the fact that the education of health care professionals, policy makers and the public about the risk factors, symptoms and prevention measures associated with DVT will reduce the number of individuals who die or become disabled because of this condition and its life-threatening complications; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The month of March is designated as "Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to honor the memory of the late David Bloom, raise public awareness about the immediate and long-term dangers of DVT and the preventability of the condition, and draw attention to the fact that the education of health care professionals, policy makers and the public about the risk factors, symptoms and prevention measures associated with DVT will reduce the number of individuals who die or become disabled because of this condition and its life-threatening complications.

Public officials and the citizens of this State are urged to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution declares March of each year as "Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to honor the memory of the late David Bloom, raise public awareness about the immediate and long-term dangers of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and the preventability of the condition, and draw attention to the fact that the education of health care professionals, policy makers and the public about the risk factors, symptoms and prevention measures associated with DVT will reduce the number of individuals who die or become disabled because of this condition and its life-threatening complications.