Florida Senate - 2018                            (NP)    SR 1918
       
       
        
       By Senator Grimsley
       
       
       
       
       
       26-02201-18                                           20181918__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing February 2018 as “Self-Care
    3         Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, self-care is a lifelong, daily habit of healthy
    6  lifestyle choices, good hygiene practices, following a
    7  nutritious diet, regular exercise, monitoring for signs and
    8  symptoms of changes in health, knowing when to consult a health
    9  care practitioner, and knowing when it is appropriate to self
   10  treat conditions, and includes efforts to prevent infection and
   11  illness, and
   12         WHEREAS, self-care includes making responsible use of all
   13  medications, both by prescription and over the counter, and
   14         WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration
   15  deems over-the-counter medicines safe and effective for the
   16  self-care of minor acute and chronic health conditions and
   17  symptoms, such as pain, common colds, allergies, and other
   18  conditions that impact large segments of the population, and
   19         WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines are either developed as
   20  new nonprescription medicines or were formerly prescription
   21  medicines and now are available to consumers without a
   22  prescription, and
   23         WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines are self-care products
   24  that consumers purchase in pharmacies, supermarkets, retail
   25  stores, and online, and
   26         WHEREAS, every dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines
   27  saves the United States health care system $6 to $7, totaling
   28  $102 billion in annual savings, and
   29         WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines help to ease the burden
   30  on health care practitioners, eliminating unnecessary medical
   31  examinations that can be avoided with appropriate self-care, and
   32         WHEREAS, the availability of self-care can help improve
   33  personal and public health, save money for individuals and the
   34  government, and strengthen the sustainability of the broader
   35  health care system, and
   36         WHEREAS, Florida benefits when residents practice
   37  appropriate self-care, when they do not make unnecessary visits
   38  to health care practitioners, and when they are empowered by
   39  higher self-esteem, improved health, and reduced use of health
   40  care services, and
   41         WHEREAS, the achievement of self-care’s potential is a
   42  shared opportunity for consumers, health care practitioners,
   43  policymakers, and regulators, NOW, THEREFORE,
   44  
   45  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   46  
   47         That February 2018 is recognized as “Self-Care Month” in
   48  Florida.
   49         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the importance of improving
   50  awareness of self-care and the value it represents to the
   51  residents of this state is recognized.
   52         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that increased consumer empowerment
   53  through the development of new over-the-counter medicines and
   54  the availability of certain formerly prescription medicines as
   55  nonprescription medicines is encouraged.
   56         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that over-the-counter medicines can
   57  greatly improve health and reduce costs to the public health
   58  system, and consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers,
   59  and regulators are encouraged to communicate the benefits of
   60  self-care.