HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	10
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

recognizing february 2022 as self-care awareness month.

WHEREAS, self-care is the lifelong daily habit of healthy choices for overall wellness, including good hygiene practices, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and personal healthcare for prevention; diagnosis, treatment, and management of infections, injuries, and illness; and knowing when to seek assistance from healthcare professionals; and

WHEREAS, self-care is a cornerstone of helping to reduce the overall cost of healthcare in Hawaii and the nation; and

WHEREAS, self-care includes making responsible use of over-the-counter and prescription medications, dietary supplements, and medical devices; and

WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration deems over-the-counter medicine safe and effective for the self-care treatment of minor acute and chronic health conditions and symptoms such as pain, the common cold, and allergies, which affect large segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, according to a study by Information Resources, Inc., every dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines saves more than $7 for the healthcare system, resulting in more than $146,000,000,000 in annual savings; and

WHEREAS, over-the-counter medical devices like bandages, menstrual products, face masks, and at-home test kits, used for the purposes of prevention, testing, and treatment, are well-accepted, cost-saving elements of the healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, the consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements can fill critical nutrient gaps, particularly for lower-income families that may experience food insecurity in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii benefits when its residents practice appropriate self-care; do not make unnecessary visits to healthcare professionals, thereby reducing the burden on the healthcare system; and are empowered by higher self-esteem, improved health, and overall wellness; and

WHEREAS, the availability of self-care can help improve personal and public health, save personal and public financial resources, and strengthen the sustainability of the broader healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, exemptions for over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices from the general excise tax benefit Hawaii residents because when consumer healthcare products become more affordable, greater numbers of individuals will use these products to treat their ailments before these ailments grow in severity; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the Senate concurring, that this body encourages consumers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to understand and communicate the benefits of self-care by recognizing February 2022 as Self-Care Awareness Month; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Recognizing February as Self-care Month