PRINTER'S NO. 3651
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 538
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, McNEILL, GALLAGHER, CERRATO, KRUPA,
JOZWIAK, SCHEUREN AND JAMES, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of September 2024 as "Alopecia Areata
2 Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Alopecia areata affects as many as 6.8 million
4 people in America and causes hair loss, which can range from
5 patches of hair, typically circular and coin-size, to complete
6 hair loss; and
7 WHEREAS, Alopecia areata affects people of all ages and
8 ethnic groups; and
9 WHEREAS, There are three types of alopecia areata; and
10 WHEREAS, Alopecia areata patchy is the most common form,
11 which causes the formation of one or more coin-sized hairless
12 patches on the scalp or other areas of the body; and
13 WHEREAS, Alopecia totalis causes a total loss of the hair on
14 the scalp; and
15 WHEREAS, Alopecia universalis causes complete loss of hair on
16 the scalp, face and body; and
17 WHEREAS, While there is no known cause for this autoimmune
18 disease, some evidence shows genes which control T regulator
 1 cells may be involved in alopecia areata, and patients who have
2 other autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune polyglandular
3 syndrome or autoimmune thyroid disease, may be predictive of
4 poor outcomes with treatment; and
5 WHEREAS, Although there is no known cure, it is generally
6 possible for alopecia areata patients to regrow hair because the
7 hair follicle is not totally destroyed or scarred; and
8 WHEREAS, Hair loss often carries a stigma that can only be
9 dispelled with education and knowledge, and for many with this
10 disease, the emotional aspect of living with hair loss can be
11 the greatest challenge; and
12 WHEREAS, During the month of September, many communities
13 across America will be holding special events to bring awareness
14 to this disease, including a Walk For Alopecia in Philadelphia
15 on September 28, 2024; and
16 WHEREAS, Organizations are continuously supporting research
17 that may one day put an end to this disease; and
18 WHEREAS, Currently, researchers are studying the development
19 of hair follicles in hopes of finding treatments that will
20 address the cause of this disease and investigating genetic
21 clues with the hopes of developing therapies and early
22 intervention strategies; and
23 WHEREAS, Fortunately, alopecia areata is not a life-
24 threatening illness, nor is it painful or contagious, and most
25 people with this disease are generally healthy; and
26 WHEREAS, Alopecia areata does not interfere with life or
27 long-term plans and, while the course of the disease varies and
28 is generally unpredictable, hair often regrows; and
29 WHEREAS, There are treatments which can help restart hair
30 regrowth, and hair replacement can ease the emotional struggles
20240HR0538PN3651 - 2 -
1 for those who have less than optimal regrowth; and
2 WHEREAS, There is a need for enhanced public awareness and
3 education regarding alopecia areata; therefore be it
4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
5 month of September 2024 as "Alopecia Areata Awareness Month" in
6 Pennsylvania; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage people
8 in this Commonwealth to become better informed about and aware
9 of alopecia areata.
20240HR0538PN3651 - 3 -