HR 8 — A Resolution recognizing the month of September 2025 as "Alopecia Areata Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   97

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 8
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, McNEILL, KENYATTA AND VENKAT,
        JANUARY 14, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JANUARY 14, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of September 2025 as "Alopecia Areata
 2      Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3         WHEREAS, Alopecia areata affects as many as 7 million people
 4   in America and causes hair loss, which can range from patches of
 5   hair, typically circular and coin-size, to complete hair loss;
 6   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 that genes that 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; and
15      WHEREAS, Organizations are continuously supporting research
16   that may one day put an end to this disease; and
17      WHEREAS, Currently, researchers are studying the development
18   of hair follicles in hopes of finding treatments that will
19   address the cause of this disease and investigating genetic
20   clues with the hopes of developing therapies and early
21   intervention strategies; and
22      WHEREAS, Fortunately, alopecia areata is not a life-
23   threatening illness, nor is it painful or contagious, and most
24   people with this disease are generally healthy; and
25      WHEREAS, Alopecia areata does not interfere with life or
26   long-term plans and, while the course of the disease varies and
27   is generally unpredictable, hair often regrows; and
28      WHEREAS, There are treatments that can help restart hair
29   regrowth, and hair replacement can ease the emotional struggles
30   for those who have less than optimal regrowth; and

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1      WHEREAS, There is a need for enhanced public awareness and
2   education regarding alopecia areata; therefore be it
3      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
4   month of September 2025 as "Alopecia Areata Awareness Month" in
5   Pennsylvania; and be it further
6      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage people
7   in this Commonwealth to become better informed about and aware
8   of alopecia areata.




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