HR0116 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0116 LRB102 15313 MST 20669 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, During the transition from childhood to adolescence, adolescents may not have access to or the awareness of the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to establish healthy patterns of behavior and make the appropriate lifestyle choices that will improve both their current and future health; and

WHEREAS, Many adolescents may not have access to primary healthcare services; in Illinois, over 120,000 children between the ages of birth and eighteen have no insurance; in 2018, 33.8% of 12 to 17 year olds did not receive a preventive medical visit; and

WHEREAS, Adolescence is a critical time to develop positive habits and skills that can lead to a healthy lifestyle and behavior over an adolescent's lifetime; the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council conducted a study that found that one important factor in designing an adolescent health service is the focus on prevention of disease; one of the study's findings concluded that prevention, early intervention, and timely treatment improve health status for adolescents, prepare them for healthy adulthood, and decrease the incidence of many chronic diseases in adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Adolescents and young adults are adversely affected by serious health and safety issues, such as motor vehicle crashes, violence, and substance abuse; they also struggle to adopt behaviors that could decrease their risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, such as eating nutritiously, engaging in physical activity, and choosing not to use tobacco; environmental factors such as family, peer group, school, and community also contribute to the challenges that adolescents face; and

WHEREAS, In the past few years, immunizations have been licensed to provide protection for adolescents against infections and diseases, such as meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, influenza, and cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV); and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Medical Association (AMA) recommend a routine healthcare visit for adolescents who are eleven or twelve years of age to receive all recommended immunizations and other evidence-based preventive healthcare services; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has developed, in conjunction with AAP, the Bright Futures Initiative, which provides a set of guidelines with recommendations on immunizations and routine health screenings for adolescents; and

WHEREAS, ACIP recommends the use of FDA-approved vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, meningitis, influenza, and cervical cancer caused by HPV in adolescents, but the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted adolescent access to essential healthcare services, including immunization; and

WHEREAS, The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine has found that adolescent well visits are one of the best tools of preventive 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 care of their parents or guardians, the need for greater awareness for all on the importance of an adolescent well visit is paramount; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we hereby express support for improved adolescent health and wellness by recognizing the importance of an adolescent well visit to prevent chronic diseases, help better diagnosis and treat chronic diseases, and update immunizations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Human Services to disseminate to State and federal agencies and stakeholder organizations that can assist with the promotion of adolescent well health in Illinois.