PRINTER'S NO. 2492
No. 406 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY C. WILLIAMS, WAUGH, PILEGGI, COSTA, FONTANA,
PIPPY, STACK, BOSCOLA, STOUT, BAKER, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON,
EARLL, KASUNIC, HUGHES, RAFFERTY, BROWNE, MUSTO, LAVALLE,
RHOADES, FERLO, FUMO, BRUBAKER AND O'PAKE, OCTOBER 7, 2008
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 7, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of November 2008 as "Hydrocephalus
2 Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological condition,
4 characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in
5 the ventricles of the brain; and
6 WHEREAS, There is no known cure for hydrocephalus, which
7 affects an estimated one million Americans; and
8 WHEREAS, Out of every 1,000 babies, one to two are born with
9 hydrocephalus; and
10 WHEREAS, More than 375,000 older Americans have
11 hydrocephalus, which often goes undetected or misdiagnosed as
12 dementia, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease; and
13 WHEREAS, With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, people
14 with hydrocephalus are able to live full and productive lives;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, The standard treatment for hydrocephalus was
17 developed in 1952 and carries multiple risks, including shunt
1 failure, infection and over drainage; and
2 WHEREAS, There are fewer than ten centers in the United
3 States specializing in the treatment of adults with normal
4 pressure hydrocephalus; and
5 WHEREAS, Each year, the people of the United States spend in
6 excess of $1 billion to treat hydrocephalus; and
7 WHEREAS, A September 2005 conference sponsored by seven
8 institutes of the National Institutes of Health, and entitled,
9 "Hydrocephalus: Myths, New Facts, Clear Directions," resulted in
10 efforts to initiate new, collaborative research and treatment
11 efforts; and
12 WHEREAS, The Hydrocephalus Association is one of the nation's
13 oldest and largest patient and research advocacy and support
14 networks for individuals suffering from hydrocephalus; and
15 WHEREAS, Further research into the epidemiology,
16 pathophysiology, disease burden and improved treatment of
17 hydrocephalus should be conducted or supported; and
18 WHEREAS, Public awareness and professional education
19 regarding hydrocephalus should increase through partnerships
20 between the Federal Government and patient advocacy
21 organizations, such as the Hydrocephalus Association; therefore
22 be it
23 RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Federal Government to
24 collect comprehensive statistics and data regarding the
25 seriousness of hydrocephalus and its impact on American
26 families; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of November
28 2008 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania so that
29 Pennsylvanians can become more familiar with hydrocephalus and
30 the individuals dedicated to finding its cure.
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