2024 House Resolution 303

Whereas, October 18 marks World Menopause Day, a day when organizations and individuals around the world advocate to improve awareness of menopause and support options available for improving health and well-being; and

Whereas, By 2030, the world population of menopausal and postmenopausal women is projected to increase to 1.2 billion, with 27 million new entrants each year; and

Whereas, Each year women in the United States enter the menopausal transition with little guidance on what to expect before, during, and after their reproductive years; and

Whereas, According to the Department of Health and Human Services, as many as three out of four women experience hot flashes, the most common menopause symptom; and other symptoms including memory loss, urinary problems, depression, and anxiety; and

Whereas, Menopausal symptoms can be severe and affect daily activities and quality of life with hot flashes lasting an average of 7 to 9 years, with a third of women experiencing vasomotor symptoms for a decade or longer; and

Whereas, Studies show that Black and Hispanic women may experience menopause earlier, more intense menopausal symptoms, and for a longer period of time; and

Whereas, As many as 40 percent of menopausal women say their symptoms interfered with their work performance or productivity weekly and nearly one in five have left or considered leaving the workforce because of their symptoms; and

Whereas, Menopause costs American women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost working time per year; and

Whereas, Due to medical innovation, a variety of effective treatments for symptoms are available including, but not limited to, non-hormonal medication, hormone therapy, and low dose antidepressants, and can help improve quality of life during perimenopause and menopause; and

Whereas, According to the Department of Health and Human Services, menopause may increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke; and

Whereas, There is an ongoing need for additional clinical research and treatment options to manage menopause symptoms; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 2024 as Menopause Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We recognize the impact of menopause on women at individual and societal levels, as well as on the country’s health and economic development; support training on menopause and treatment options in pre-service curricula for health workers and women having access to appropriate health information and services to promote healthy aging and a high quality of life before, during, and after menopause; encourage providing information to women, patients, and health care providers with respect to menopause, including available screening tools and treatment options, with a goal of improving quality of life and health outcomes of women affected by menopause; and urge additional research on menopause and possible clinical options to helping women with menopause.