No. 55
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
Senator RENEE C. BURGESS
District 28 (Essex and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Designates July of each year as Self-Care Awareness Month in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Joint Resolution designating July of each year as Self-Care Awareness Month in New Jersey.
Whereas, Self-care is a lifelong daily habit of making healthy lifestyle choices, practicing good hygiene, preventing infection and illness, avoiding unhealthy choices, monitoring for signs and symptoms of changes in health, knowing when to consult a healthcare practitioner, and knowing when it is appropriate to self-treat conditions; and
Whereas, Self-care also involves engaging in activities that promote well-being and reduce stress; and
Whereas, New Jersey benefits when its citizens practice appropriate self-care and are subsequently empowered by higher self-esteem and improved health; and
Whereas, Practicing proper self-care also reduces health care visits and costs; and
Whereas, According to an Information Resources, Inc. study, each dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines saves the healthcare system more than seven dollars, resulting in more than $146 billion in annual savings; and
Whereas, Over-the-counter medical items such as bandages, menstrual products, face masks, and at-home test kits used for prevention, testing, and treatment result in cost savings for the healthcare system; and
Whereas, Consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements can fill critical nutrient gaps, particularly for lower income families that may experience food insecurity; and
Whereas, New Jersey encourages its citizens to take advantage of the potential of self-care to improve personal and public health, save personal and public monies, and strengthen the sustainability of New Jerseys health care system; and
Whereas, Achieving the potential of self-care is a shared opportunity for consumers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and regulators; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to designate the month of July of each year as Self-Care Awareness Month in order to raise awareness of the benefits of self-care; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. July of each year is designated as Self-Care Awareness Month.
2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation recognizing July as Self-Care Awareness Month and call upon public officials and the residents of the State of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates July of each year as Self-Care Awareness Month in New Jersey.
Self-care is a lifelong daily habit of making healthy lifestyle choices, practicing good hygiene, preventing infection and illness, avoiding unhealthy choices, monitoring for signs and symptoms of changes in health, knowing when to consult a healthcare practitioner, and knowing when it is appropriate to self-treat conditions. Self-care also involves engaging in activities that promote well-being and reduce stress.
New Jersey benefits when its citizens practice appropriate self-care and are subsequently empowered by higher self-esteem and improved health. Practicing proper self-care also reduces health care visits and cost. According to an Information Resources, Inc. study, each dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines saves the healthcare system more than seven dollars, resulting in more than $146 billion in annual savings. Over-the-counter medical items such as bandages, menstrual products, face masks, and at-home test kits used for prevention, testing, and treatment result in cost savings for the healthcare system. Consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements can fill critical nutrient gaps, particularly for lower income families that may experience food insecurity.
New Jersey encourages its citizens to take advantage of the potential of self-care to improve personal and public health, save personal and public monies, and strengthen the sustainability of New Jerseys health care system.
Achieving the potential of self-care is a shared opportunity for consumers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and regulators.