SCR83 - Hypertension Awareness Month.

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 83 CHAPTER 137 Relative to Hypertension Awareness Month. [ Filed with Secretary of State July 10, 2025. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 83, Stern. Hypertension Awareness Month. This measure would recognize May 2025 as Hypertension Awareness Month. Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill Text WHEREAS, Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects nearly one-half of all adults in the United States and is a leading risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases; and WHEREAS, Only about one in four adults with hypertension have their condition under control; and WHEREAS, Annual health care costs associated with high blood pressure were an estimated $219,000,000,000 in the United States in 2019, with medical costs for people with high blood pressure being about $2,800 higher than for people without high blood pressure; and WHEREAS, Hypertension often goes undetected and untreated, leading to severe health complications, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, and contributing to 685,875 deaths in 2022 in the United States; and WHEREAS, In 2024, almost 30 percent of adults in California had a diagnosis of hypertension, with an additional estimated 7 percent to have borderline hypertension; and WHEREAS, California has the second highest mortality rate from hypertension in the United States at 14.4 per 100,000 people, leading to 6,727 deaths per year; and WHEREAS, Hypertension disproportionately impacts certain populations, including, but not limited to, communities of color, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and individuals with limited access to health care services, leading to health disparities and inequities in the prevalence, management, and outcomes of high blood pressure; and WHEREAS, In California, American Indian and Alaska Natives (37.3 percent), African Americans (46.0 percent), and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (44.7 percent) are more likely to have been diagnosed with high blood pressure; and WHEREAS, Early detection, proper management, and access to medical treatment are critical to reducing the prevalence and impact of hypertension on individuals’ health and well-being; and WHEREAS, Access to affordable and quality health care services, including medical treatments, is crucial for managing hypertension and improving health outcomes; and WHEREAS, Recent advancements in medical technology have expanded the range of treatment options for individuals with hypertension, including those with resistant hypertension; and WHEREAS, Access to innovative treatments is essential for improving public health and reducing the burden of hypertension-related complications; and WHEREAS, Community initiatives, health care professionals, and advocacy organizations play a vital role in educating the public, providing resources, and advocating for policies that enhance hypertension awareness and access to medical care; and WHEREAS, The month of May is dedicated to raising awareness about hypertension, promoting education about prevention and management, and encouraging individuals to monitor their blood pressure regularly; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes May 2025 as Hypertension Awareness Month; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature acknowledges the importance of raising awareness about hypertension’s risks, prevention, and management strategies; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages health care providers, public health agencies, and community organizations to continue their efforts in educating and empowering individuals to monitor and manage their blood pressure effectively; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature emphasizes the significance of access to affordable and comprehensive health care services, including innovative medical treatments, in addressing hypertension and reducing its impact on individuals and communities; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature supports initiatives that aim to improve health care access, affordability, and education regarding hypertension management and treatment options; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.