Bill Text: PA SR405 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating November 2010 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2010-09-28 - Introduced and adopted [SR405 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR405-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2237
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 405 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY WAUGH, BOSCOLA, TARTAGLIONE, RAFFERTY, ORIE, BAKER, FERLO, FONTANA, PIPPY, DINNIMAN, O'PAKE AND COSTA, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
A RESOLUTION
Designating November 2010 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, Hydrocephalus is one of the most common birth
defects, as one to two out of every 1,000 babies are born with
hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, Another 6,000 children annually develop
hydrocephalus during the first two years of life; and
WHEREAS, More than 375,000 older Americans have
hydrocephalus, which is often undetected or misdiagnosed as
dementia, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, people who
have hydrocephalus are able to live full and productive lives;
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and
WHEREAS, The standard treatment for hydrocephalus was
developed in 1952 and carries multiple risks, including shunt
failure, infection and over-drainage; and
WHEREAS, Further research into the epidemiology,
pathophysiology, disease burden and improved treatment of
hydrocephalus is needed; 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
more than $1 billion to treat hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, The month of September 2010 is recognized nationally
as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month"; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of Commonwealth residents suffer from the
effects of hydrocephalus and are required to obtain specialized
treatment to alleviate the symptoms of this condition; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to several renowned
medical institutions and other organizations working to increase
public awareness and develop new treatments that will improve
the lives of those who are afflicted with this condition;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate November 2010 as
"Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and call upon
all residents of this Commonwealth to raise awareness of
hydrocephalus by participating in appropriate activities.
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