Title
To recognize March as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, bleeding disorders are characterized by a group of health conditions that result from blood not being able to clot properly - with Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease being the most recognized; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that between 1.5 and 4 million women have a bleeding disorder in the United States - it is also believed that there are approximately 2 million American women who have a bleeding disorder who are unaware that they have it; and
WHEREAS, von Willebrand disease (vWd) is the most commonly inherited bleeding disorder - it is caused by deficiencies or defects in the blood and is characterized by heavy menstrual periods in women, easy bruising, bleeding for long periods of time after surgery or dental work, and heavy bleeding after the birth of a child - it should be noted that an estimated 1% of the world’s population has vWd, however it takes an average of 16 years for a diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, Hemophilia is a well-known but rare bleeding disorder, caused by an inherited genetic mutation, running in some families - impacting an estimated 1,350 residents in the State of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, a number of individuals with hemophilia became infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C during the 1980s due to the contamination of the blood supply and blood products; and
WHEREAS, bleeding disorders and the resulting morbidity and mortality can be reduced with the appropriate care and access to comprehensive medical resources - leading to healthier, productive lives; and
WHEREAS, “Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month,” was first recognized by President Ronald Reagan as “Hemophilia Awareness Month in March of 1986; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, formally included an annual National Health Observance of "Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month" in March of ...
Click here for full text