HR 597

                                                  PRINTER'S NO.    3831
                THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
         HOUSE RESOLUTION
            No. 597
                                            Session of
                                              2026
INTRODUCED BY T. DAVIS, MARCELL, TIBURCIO, VENKAT, McNEILL,
   HILL-EVANS, RIVERA, HOHENSTEIN, M. JONES, KRUPA, PROBST,
   MALAGARI, SANCHEZ, GALLAGHER AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
   AUGUST 19, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, AUGUST 19, 2026
                             A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of September 2026 as "Alopecia Areata
2    Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3WHEREAS, 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
7WHEREAS, Alopecia areata affects people of all ages and
8 ethnic groups; and
9WHEREAS, There are three types of alopecia areata; and
10WHEREAS, 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
13WHEREAS, Alopecia totalis causes a total loss of the hair on
14 the scalp; and
15WHEREAS, Alopecia universalis causes complete loss of hair on
16 the scalp, face and body; and
17WHEREAS, While there is no known cause for this autoimmune
1 disease, some evidence shows that genes that control T regulator
2 cells may be involved in alopecia areata, and patients who have
3 other autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune polyglandular
4 syndrome or autoimmune thyroid disease, may be predictive of
5 poor outcomes with treatment; and
6    WHEREAS, Although there is no known cure, it is generally
7 possible for alopecia areata patients to regrow hair because the
8 hair follicle is not totally destroyed or scarred; and
9    WHEREAS, Hair loss often carries a stigma that can only be
10 dispelled with education and knowledge, and, for many with this
11 disease, the emotional aspect of living with hair loss can be
12 the greatest challenge; and
13    WHEREAS, During the month of September, many communities
14 across America are holding special events to bring awareness to
15 this disease; 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 that can help restart hair
30 regrowth, and hair replacement can ease the emotional struggles
20260HR0597PN3831  - 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 2026 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.
20260HR0597PN3831  - 3 -