Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 71
CHAPTER 45

Relative to public health.

[ Filed with Secretary of State  April 22, 2022. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SCR 71, Bates. Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim the month of March 2022 as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Fiscal Committee: NO  
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines traumatic brain injury as a disruption in the normal functioning of the brain due to injury, commonly caused by car accidents, falls, assault, and sports injuries; and
WHEREAS, Every nine seconds, someone in the United States sustains a traumatic brain injury; and
WHEREAS, The CDC declares traumatic brain injury is a major cause of disability and death in the United States contributing to approximately 30 percent of all injury-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Rehabilitation states that traumatic brain injury impacts 1,700,000 Americans each year and causes 53,000 deaths, 235,000 hospitalizations, and 1,100,000 emergency room visits yearly; and
WHEREAS, More than 5,300,000 children and adults in the United States live with a lifelong disability as a result of a traumatic brain injury, and impacts can include cognition, motor sensory, communication, emotional, and behavioral impairments as well as cause long-term neuropsychiatric conditions; and
WHEREAS, 2,500,000 caregivers in the United States support a family member with a traumatic brain injury; and
WHEREAS, In 2015 alone, the State Department of Public Health counted 32,627 Californians hospitalized and 210,910 emergency room visits due to traumatic brain injury; and
WHEREAS, The lifetime costs related to traumatic brain injury are estimated in the United States to be $76,500,000,000 annually; and
WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries can negatively affect a person’s ability to hold a job, maintain relationships, or even care for themselves, and can also have a devastating effect on a person’s family, social circle, and community; and
WHEREAS, Awareness, early screening, diagnosis, and care for Californians who sustain a traumatic brain injury are necessary to support lifelong health for Californians living with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of March to be Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature urges all levels of government to take advantage of every opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of screening, diagnosis, and evaluation for traumatic brain injury and to encourage people who have sustained a head injury or concussion to discuss the injury with their health care provider to determine if they have sustained a physical, cognitive, motor sensory, emotional, or behavioral impact or resulted in a neuropsychiatric condition; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.