IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 384 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30, 2009 Mr. Bilirakis submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Recognizing the importance of increased awareness of sleep apnea, and for other purposes.

Whereas sleep apnea is a common condition that affects more than 12,000,000 Americans, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health; Whereas there are several types of sleep apnea that cause people with this condition to repeatedly stop breathing throughout the night, often many times; Whereas sleep apnea is a chronic condition that disrupts sleep three or more nights each week, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness; Whereas sleep apnea becomes more common with age, and 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 suffers from it; Whereas sleep apnea is more common in men than women, and more than half of the people with sleep apnea are overweight; Whereas sleep apnea can strike anyone, at any age, at any time, including children; Whereas untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes; Whereas untreated sleep apnea can also increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents and adversely impact the quality of life of those suffering from this condition in other ways; Whereas lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, surgery, and/or breathing devices can successfully treat sleep apnea in many people; and Whereas the lack of public awareness of this serious condition leads to many undiagnosed and untreated cases: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports raising public awareness of sleep apnea; and (2)encourages all Americans to educate themselves and others about the consequences of sleep apnea and its potential treatments.