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Managing America: Health

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Week Ending May 4, 2006

S.RES.184 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and designating May 5, 2007, as "National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day".

Strokes, the result of blood flow to the brain being interrupted by a clogged artery, have traditionally been seen as an ailment that comes with age, but this resolution preamble notes that 26 of every 100,000 newborns and 3 out of every 100,000 children have a stroke each year. Some before birth.

Stroke death is in the top ten causes of child death in the US and 12% who have the stroke die from it. The highest death rate is among children before age one.

Early warning and prevention is all that can be done but research is encouraged by the resolution and awareness is raised by designating May 5, 2007 as National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day.

Sponsor:  Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent May 1, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this resolution.

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MORE INFORMATION

   Whereas a stroke, also known as a ``cerebrovascular accident'', is an acute neurologic injury that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot in the artery or a burst of the artery;

   Whereas a stroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated;

   Whereas 26 out of every 100,000 newborns and almost 3 out of every 100,000 children have a stroke each year;

   Whereas an individual can have a stroke before birth;

   Whereas stroke is among the top 10 causes of death for children in the United States;

   Whereas 12 percent of all children who experience a stroke die as a result;

   Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 year is the highest out of all age groups;

   Whereas many children who experience a stroke will suffer serious, long-term neurological disabilities, including--

   (1) hemiplegia, which is paralysis of 1 side of the body;

   (2) seizures;

   (3) speech and vision problems; and

[Page: S5402]  GPO's PDF

   (4) learning difficulties;

   Whereas those disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries;

   Whereas the permanent health concerns and treatments resulting from strokes that occur during childhood and young adulthood have a considerable impact on children, families, and society;

   Whereas very little is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of childhood stroke;

   Whereas medical research is the only means by which the citizens of the United States can identify and develop effective treatment and prevention strategies for childhood stroke;

   Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of childhood stroke greatly improves the chances that the affected child will recover and not experience a recurrence; and

   Whereas the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia should be commended for its initiative in creating the Nation's first program dedicated to pediatric stroke patients: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) designates May 5, 2007 as ``National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day''; and

    (2) urges the people of the United States to support the efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations that work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke.

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