PRINTER'S NO. 3651
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
969
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY SCHLEGEL CULVER, SOLOMON, PICKETT, LONGIETTI,
NEILSON, DRISCOLL, JAMES, RYAN, DAY, YOUNGBLOOD, KAUFFMAN,
DAVIS, D. MILLER, HILL-EVANS, BARRAR, J. McNEILL, SAYLOR,
WATSON, MILLARD, THOMAS, DEAN, STAATS, ROEBUCK, GILLEN AND
DELOZIER, JUNE 8, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 8, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Secretary of Health to designate Alzheimer's disease
and other dementia disorders as a public health issue.
WHEREAS, It is the intent of the House of Representatives to
increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia
disorders, address cognitive impairment, promote brain health
and meet the needs of caregivers; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease has been traditionally seen as
an aging issue, although more and more Pennsylvanians are being
diagnosed with early-onset well before reaching 60 years of age;
and
WHEREAS, The onset of Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be
stopped or reversed; and
WHEREAS, Early detection and diagnosis give people with
dementia and their families a better chance of receiving and
benefiting from treatment, care and support services and allow
them to better prepare for medical, legal and financial
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decisions in the future; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of
death in adults 18 years of age or older in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Currently there are no definitive interventions or
successful treatments to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease;
and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
has declared that it is essential to promote early detection,
educate the public about risk reduction and continue accurately
tracking the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia
disorders; and
WHEREAS, In conjunction with the CDC, the Department of
Health annually conducts the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System (BRFSS) survey to gather Statewide public health data;
and
WHEREAS, In the 2014 BRFSS survey, 10.2%, or 1 in 10, of
Pennsylvania residents 45 years of age or older reported an
increase in confusion or worsening memory loss and approximately
half had not discussed these cognitive concerns with a health
care provider; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers often suffer from stress, depression,
increased illnesses and chronic health issues providing care to
their loved ones for long periods of time saving taxpayers
billions of dollars in the process; and
WHEREAS, We recognize the important responsibility the
Department of Health has in promoting and encouraging healthy
behaviors among the general public, increasing early detection
and diagnosis of disease and disability, reducing risk of
illnesses and diseases, educating the health care workforce and
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monitoring the health of the State; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Secretary of Health to designate Alzheimer's disease and other
dementia diseases as a public health issue; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Secretary of Health with this final clause omitted from such
copy.
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