[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1479 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1479

Expressing support for the goals and ideas of ``National Hydrocephalus 
           Awareness Month'' and ``World Hydrocephalus Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 20, 2024

  Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. Doggett) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the goals and ideas of ``National Hydrocephalus 
           Awareness Month'' and ``World Hydrocephalus Day''.

Whereas hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the 
        brain, is a life-threatening condition that affects approximately 
        1,000,000 people in the United States with an incidence rate globally of 
        85 per 100,000 individuals;
Whereas 1 out of every 770 babies will develop hydrocephalus;
Whereas it is estimated that 800,000 older Americans may be living with normal 
        pressure hydrocephalus, of which 80 percent of cases are believed to be 
        undiagnosed and untreated;
Whereas anyone at any age can develop hydrocephalus;
Whereas the annual hospital charges related to hydrocephalus medical costs 
        nationally are over $2,000,000,000 per year;
Whereas, since 2000, more than 470,000 United States servicemembers have 
        sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), one cause of hydrocephalus;
Whereas it is estimated that 14 percent of these patriots who suffered a severe 
        TBI could develop hydrocephalus;
Whereas there is no cure for hydrocephalus, and the only treatment is costly 
        brain surgery which frequently must be repeated to replace the shunt, a 
        medical device that is the most common treatment for the condition and 
        has one of the highest failure rates of all medical devices;
Whereas over 36,000 shunt surgeries are performed each year (one every 15 
        minutes), and more than half represent emergencies;
Whereas there are approximately 10,000 pediatric hospital admissions for shunt 
        malfunctions each year;
Whereas, approximately 23,000 young adults between the ages of 18 to 22 must 
        transition from pediatric to adult health care each year, yet these 
        young adults experience significant barriers impacting continuity of 
        care, including a lack of adult-focused neurosurgeons willing to take 
        them as patients;
Whereas the Hydrocephalus Association and other organizations, such as the 
        Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, serve as global leaders for 
        hydrocephalus awareness, education, support, advocacy, and research 
        funding; and
Whereas the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation and the Hydrocephalus Association 
        recognize September as ``National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month'' and 
        September 20 as ``World Hydrocephalus Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) support the goals and ideas of ``National Hydrocephalus 
        Month'' and ``World Hydrocephalus Day''; and
            (2) continue to support research to prevent, detect, and 
        treat hydrocephalus.
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