HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 94-4720, by Representatives Dellwo, Brown, Conway, Thibaudeau, Flemming, Leonard, L. Johnson, Mielke, Brough, Silver, Dyer, J. Kohl and Anderson

               WHEREAS, National attention has focused on the unacceptably high incidence of malnutrition in the elderly; and

               WHEREAS, The United States Senate Committee on Education and Labor has reported that eighty-five percent of older Americans have chronic diseases that could be helped by nutritional interventions; and

               WHEREAS, Research has shown that poor nutrition leads to an impaired immune system, aggravated infections, organ and multi-organ system failure, prolonged hospitalizations, and catastrophic health care costs; and

               WHEREAS, Nutritional status is a basic "vital sign" because illness starts at the cellular level, and food nourishes the body at the cellular level; and

               WHEREAS, Routine nutritional screening and early intervention is essential in order to prevent the devastating results of poor nutrition, lower health care costs, and improve quality of life; and

               WHEREAS, Awareness and understanding of warning signs of poor nutritional health can help individuals take responsibility to reform their eating habits and lifestyles; and

               WHEREAS, Good nutrition helps keep people healthy, active, and independent; and

               WHEREAS, Health care providers need to educate the public regarding risk factors and warning signs of poor nutritional health, and help them take responsibility for improving their eating habits and lifestyles in order to promote health, prevent illness, and reduce health care costs; and

               WHEREAS, The 1988 Surgeon General's Workshop on Health Promotion and Aging and the 1990 Department of Health and Human Services Report "Healthy People 2000" called for a stepped up, coordinated national effort to promote routine nutrition screening and early intervention in America; and

               WHEREAS, The Nutrition Screening Initiative is a direct outgrowth of the government's call which is a multifaceted, multidisciplinary approach to promote routine nutrition screening, early intervention, and better nutritional care into health care practice; and

               WHEREAS, The Nutrition Screening Initiative is a project of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Dietetic Association, and the National Council on the Aging, Inc. and is supported by more than twenty-eight key organizations and professionals from the fields of nutrition, medicine, and aging along with a technical advisory committee that plays an important role in guiding the effort; and

               WHEREAS, The goals of the Nutrition Screening Initiative are to:  Promote and expand existing quality nutrition screening in the nation's health care system; move to incorporate the widespread use of nutrition screening in health and medical care settings; and expand educational outreach to medical and health care professionals, the public, and policy makers;

               NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives actively promote and support the Nutrition Screening Initiative, its goals and objectives.

                                             I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

                                         Resolution 4720 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                                                        March 9, 1994.

                                                   ________________________________

                                                            Marilyn Showalter, Chief Clerk