[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14039]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 604--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF 
           NOVEMBER 2016 AS ``NATIONAL BLADDER HEALTH MONTH''

  Mr. KIRK submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 604

       Whereas tens of millions of people in the United States are 
     affected by bladder diseases and conditions, including 
     urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, underactive 
     bladder, interstitial cystitis, nocturia, urinary tract 
     infections, bladder cancer, urotrauma, and neurogenic 
     bladder;
       Whereas bladder diseases and conditions have a significant 
     impact on health and quality of life, contributing to 
     decreased physical activity (which can increase obesity 
     levels and the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease), 
     depression, social isolation, falls, sexual dysfunction, loss 
     of self-esteem, hospitalizations, nursing home admissions, 
     and even death;
       Whereas bladder diseases and conditions result in costs to 
     the United States economy estimated at more than 
     $70,000,000,000 annually;
       Whereas bladder problems are highly stigmatized, and open 
     dialogue generated by National Bladder Health Month can 
     reduce stigma and empower providers and patients to have 
     much-needed conversations about bladder health;
       Whereas medical and behavioral research to better 
     understand and maintain bladder health and treat bladder 
     diseases is critically needed yet poorly recognized;
       Whereas bladder diseases and conditions are common in 
     military veterans;
       Whereas more than 1 in 10 military service members injured 
     in Afghanistan and Iraq have urotrauma injuries (damage to 
     the urinary tract or reproductive organs);
       Whereas 1 in 3 younger women veterans report overactive 
     bladder, stress urinary incontinence, and painful bladder 
     symptoms;
       Whereas more than \3/4\ of veterans with spinal cord 
     injuries suffer from neurogenic bladder;
       Whereas bladder cancer is the fourth most commonly 
     diagnosed cancer among Veterans Affairs Health System 
     patients;
       Whereas preventative campaigns and measures for diseases 
     and conditions that are as extensive and expensive as bladder 
     diseases and conditions are routine and accepted in common 
     medical, societal, and public health practice, yet no 
     preventative campaign or measure exists in a large, 
     systematic fashion for bladder health; and
       Whereas November 2016 is an appropriate month to designate 
     as ``National Bladder Health Month'' since bladder health 
     awareness has been promoted in November for more than 20 
     years: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the designation of 
     November 2016 as ``National Bladder Health Month''.

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