State Sen. Tom Patton, R-24 of Strongsville, has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 31, which would name November 2012 as Personal Healthcare Month in Ohio.

“We are all very aware that several chronic diseases are increasingly consuming a significant amount of our nation’s health care expenses,” Patton said before the Senate Standing Committee on Health, Human Services, and Aging. “It is my hope that through initiatives promoted through Personal Health Care Month, many of these expenses can be reduced or eliminated when individuals take personal action by making healthier lifestyle choices for themselves and their families.”

During his testimony, Patton reminded his Senate colleagues that preventing illness is far less costly than treating disease, according to a news release.