Bill Text: NJ AJR124 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September of each year as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-25 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AJR124 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AJR124-Introduced.html
No. 124
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September of each year as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of September of each year as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Hydrocephalus, derived from the Greek works "hydro," meaning water and "cephalus," is a condition that has no cure and the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain resulting in abnormal widening of spaces in the brain called ventricles, which creates harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain and can be fatal if untreated; and
Whereas, There are two primary types of hydrocephalus: congenital hydrocephalus, which is present at birth and may be caused by either events or influences that occur during fetal development or genetic abnormalities, and acquired hydrocephalus, which develops at the time of birth or at some point afterward and affects individuals of all ages and may be caused by injury or disease; and
Whereas, Two other forms of hydrocephalus which primarily affect adults are ex-vacuo, which occurs when stroke or traumatic injury cause damage to the brain, and normal pressure hydrocephalus, which can happen to people at any age, but it is most common among the elderly and often whose cause is unknown; and
Whereas, The number of people who develop hydrocephalus or who are currently living with it is difficult to establish since there is no national registry of people with the condition but experts estimate that it affects over one million Americans and occurs in one in every 1,000 live births and that an estimated 700,000 older Americans have normal pressure hydrocephalus; and
Whereas, The only treatment for hydrocephalus requires brain surgery. Most often, hydrocephalus is treated by surgically inserting a shunt system which diverts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to another are of the body where it can be absorbed as part of the normal circulatory process; and
Whereas, Affected individuals and their families should be aware that hydrocephalus poses risks to both cognitive and physical development and often require repeated brain surgeries over a lifetime. However, children diagnosed with the disorder benefit from early intervention programs, rehabilitation therapies and educational interventions and many go on to lead lives with few limitations; and
Whereas, In 2009, the United States Congress passed a Resolution designating the month of September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month; and
Whereas, Representatives from the national, state and local levels, the New Jersey Shore community of the Hydrocephalus Awareness Association, and the national-level Hydrocephalus Association in conjunction with leaders from professional, community and medical-based organizations and associations, are dedicated to increasing public awareness of hydrocephalus and the needs of families, resulting in better health for all individuals in the State of New Jersey and throughout the nation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of September of each year is designated as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey to foster an awareness and understanding of the different types of hydrocephalus.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of September of each year as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Hydrocephalus is a condition where excessive amounts of cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, which results in abnormal widening of spaces in the brain called ventricles. This causes harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain and can be fatal if left untreated.
Congenital hydrocephalus and acquired hydrocephalus are the two major types of the disease. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at birth and may be caused by genetic abnormalities or events or influences that occur during fetal development. Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth or some time afterward and affects individuals of all ages. It may be acquired through injury or disease. Two other forms of hydrocephalus primarily affecting adults are ex-vacuo, which occurs when stroke or traumatic injury cause damage to the brain, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. The cause of the condition is unknown and while it can occur in people at any age, it is most common among the elderly.
There is no national registry tracking the number of hydrocephalus cases. Nevertheless, experts estimate that the condition affects over one million Americans and occurs in one out of every 1,000 births. Additionally, an estimated 700,000 older Americans have normal pressure hydrocephalus.
The only treatment for hydrocephalus is surgery, which entails the insertion of a shunt system to divert the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to another area of the body where the fluid can be absorbed as part of the normal circulatory process.
Individuals affected by this disease and their families should know that hydrocephalus poses risks to both cognitive and physical development and often requires repeated brain surgeries over a lifetime. However, children diagnosed with the disorder benefit from early intervention programs, rehabilitation therapies and educational intervention. As a result of early intervention, many children go on to lead lives with few limitations.
