Bill Text: PA SR206 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating the month of November 2009 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-10-09 - Introduced and adopted [SR206 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR206-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1492
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 206 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY WAUGH, ALLOWAY, BAKER, BOSCOLA, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, FARNESE, FERLO, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, LOGAN, MUSTO, O'PAKE, ORIE, PILEGGI, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, STACK, TARTAGLIONE, TOMLINSON AND WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 9, 2009
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 9, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of November 2009 as "Hydrocephalus
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological condition,
characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in
the ventricles of the brain; and
WHEREAS, There is no known cure for hydrocephalus, which
affects an estimated one million Americans; and
WHEREAS, Out of every 1,000 babies, one to two are born with
hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, More than 375,000 older Americans have
hydrocephalus, which often goes undetected or misdiagnosed as
dementia, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, people
with hydrocephalus are able to live full and productive lives;
and
WHEREAS, The standard treatment for hydrocephalus was
developed in 1952 and carries multiple risks, including shunt
failure, infection and over drainage; and
WHEREAS, There are fewer than ten centers in the United
States specializing in the treatment of adults with normal
pressure hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the people of the United States spend in
excess of $1 billion to treat hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, A September 2005 conference sponsored by seven
institutes of the National Institutes of Health, and titled,
"Hydrocephalus: Myths, New Facts, Clear Directions," resulted in
efforts to initiate new, collaborative research and treatment
efforts; and
WHEREAS, The Hydrocephalus Association is one of the nation's
oldest and largest patient and research advocacy and support
networks for individuals suffering from hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, Further research into the epidemiology,
pathophysiology, disease burden and improved treatment of
hydrocephalus should be conducted or supported; and
WHEREAS, Public awareness and professional education
regarding hydrocephalus should increase through partnerships
between the Federal Government and patient advocacy
organizations, such as the Hydrocephalus Association; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Federal Government to
collect comprehensive statistics and data regarding the
seriousness of hydrocephalus and its impact on American
families; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of November
2009 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania so that
Pennsylvanians can become more familiar with hydrocephalus and
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the individuals dedicated to finding its cure.
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