PRINTER'S NO. 1637
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
155
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY T. DAVIS, KHAN, HILL-EVANS, GALLAGHER, VENKAT,
MADDEN, SCHLOSSBERG, SANCHEZ, KINSEY, VITALI, SAPPEY AND
SCOTT, JUNE 20, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 20, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of June 2023 as "National Aphasia
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Aphasia is defined as an impairment of language,
affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the
ability to read or write; and
WHEREAS, It causes individuals to have trouble speaking and
understanding others, including the inability to process long
words and infrequently used words; and
WHEREAS, The National Aphasia Association estimates that
aphasia affects nearly 2 million Americans, with approximately
180,000 Americans developing the disorder each year; and
WHEREAS, The most common cause of aphasia is stroke, with 15%
of individuals younger than 65 years of age and 43% of
individuals older than 85 years of age experiencing aphasia
after their first ischemic stroke; and
WHEREAS, Other causes include head injury, brain tumor or
other neurological issues; and
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WHEREAS, Aphasia not only takes a physical toll, but can also
take an emotional one as patients can feel trapped in their own
mind as they struggle to express themselves and speak with their
friends and family; and
WHEREAS, There are three types of aphasia, including
Wernicke's Aphasia, Broca's Aphasia and Global Aphasia, which
all vary in severity and symptoms, but can leave a patient
feeling frustrated and isolated; and
WHEREAS, If the symptoms of aphasia last longer than three
months after a stroke, many individuals never completely
recover, but with continued rehabilitation and support some
patients can continue to improve over the years and even
decades; and
WHEREAS, By increasing awareness of this disorder, further
steps toward a solution to restore speech and comprehension
abilities for those affected by aphasia can be taken; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of June 2023 as "National Aphasia Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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