Lyme Disease Association, Inc. - CONCERNING LYME DISEASE AND OTHER TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES

The LDA is very excited that the New England Governor's Conference passed Resolution 166, A Resolution of the New England Governor's Conference, Inc. Concerning Lyme Disease & Other Tick-borne Illnesses. Introduced by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond's office, it was adoption certified on August 26th, 2002, and signed by Chairman Almond. Other Governors who make up the Conference are Jane Swift, MA; John G. Rowland, CT; Angus S. King, Jr., ME; Jeanne Shaheen, NH; and Howard Dean, MD, VT.

LDA has been asking for a regional approach to the disease in meetings with officials in many states, including Rhode Island. This resolution is a great beginning for official acknowledgement of the problems surrounding Lyme disease and for garnering support for prevention, education, and research.

A RESOLUTION OF THE NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE, INC.
CONCERNING LYME DISEASE AND OTHER TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES

RESOLUTION 166

WHEREAS, all six New England states have very high incidences of Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses; and

WHEREAS, cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are increasing at an alarming rate; and

WHEREAS, surveillance has demonstrated a high correlation of the incidence of disease with the abundance of ticks and their geographic distribution; and

WHEREAS, the prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses is best accomplished by a combination of public awareness, personal protection, and environmental measures; and

WHEREAS, individuals in whom the disease is not diagnosed early and who are not treated adequately can suffer long-term health complications; and

WHEREAS, the difficulty of diagnosing individuals with long-term Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses often impacts patient outcomes; and

WHEREAS, laboratory tests for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness are not definitive and consensus guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of long-term Lyme disease have yet to be developed; and

WHEREAS, some physicians whose practices are devoted to long-term treatment of Lyme disease patients, and who continue to provide treatment they deem medically necessary have noted significant improvement in the condition of many patients;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the New England Governors' Conference, Inc. recognizes the seriousness and prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses within New England; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the New England Governors’ Conference, Inc. encourages state and regional surveillance efforts designed to provide a greater understanding of the transmission of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the New England Governors’ Conference, Inc. encourages state and regional prevention initiatives designed to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the New England Governors’ Conference, Inc. calls for increased federal funding for studies pertaining to the development of improved testing and treatment for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the New England Governors’ Conference, Inc. encourages the cooperation of its members to investigate and address issues surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses on a regional basis.

ADOPTION CERTIFIED BY THE NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE, INC. ON August 26th 2002.
____________________________

Lincoln C. Almond

Governor of Rhode Island

Chairman
nitiatives. Thanks, New England Governor's conference, and thanks again, Rhode Island