Pennsylvania HR 969: A Resolution urging the Secretary of Health to designate Alzheimer's disease and other dementia disorders as a public health issue.

Bill Text

2017-2018 Regular Session HR 969 PN 3651 Bill Text (HTM) 

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PRINTER'S NO. 3651 

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION 

No.

969 

Session of 

2018 

INTRODUCED BY SCHLEGEL CULVER, SOLOMON, PICKETT, LONGIETTI, 

NEILSON, DRISCOLL, JAMES, RYAN, DAY, YOUNGBLOOD, KAUFFMAN, 

DAVIS, D. MILLER, HILL-EVANS, BARRAR, J. McNEILL, SAYLOR, 

WATSON, MILLARD, THOMAS, DEAN, STAATS, ROEBUCK, GILLEN AND 

DELOZIER, JUNE 8, 2018 

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 8, 2018 

A RESOLUTION

Urging the Secretary of Health to designate Alzheimer's disease 

and other dementia disorders as a public health issue.

WHEREAS, It is the intent of the House of Representatives to 

increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia 

disorders, address cognitive impairment, promote brain health 

and meet the needs of caregivers; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease has been traditionally seen as 

an aging issue, although more and more Pennsylvanians are being 

diagnosed with early-onset well before reaching 60 years of age; 

and

WHEREAS, The onset of Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be 

stopped or reversed; and

WHEREAS, Early detection and diagnosis give people with 

dementia and their families a better chance of receiving and 

benefiting from treatment, care and support services and allow 

them to better prepare for medical, legal and financial 

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decisions in the future; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of 

death in adults 18 years of age or older in the United States; 

and

WHEREAS, Currently there are no definitive interventions or 

successful treatments to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease; 

and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

has declared that it is essential to promote early detection, 

educate the public about risk reduction and continue accurately 

tracking the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia 

disorders; and

WHEREAS, In conjunction with the CDC, the Department of 

Health annually conducts the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance 

System (BRFSS) survey to gather Statewide public health data; 

and

WHEREAS, In the 2014 BRFSS survey, 10.2%, or 1 in 10, of 

Pennsylvania residents 45 years of age or older reported an 

increase in confusion or worsening memory loss and approximately 

half had not discussed these cognitive concerns with a health 

care provider; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers often suffer from stress, depression, 

increased illnesses and chronic health issues providing care to 

their loved ones for long periods of time saving taxpayers 

billions of dollars in the process; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the important responsibility the 

Department of Health has in promoting and encouraging healthy 

behaviors among the general public, increasing early detection 

and diagnosis of disease and disability, reducing risk of 

illnesses and diseases, educating the health care workforce and 

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monitoring the health of the State; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the 

Secretary of Health to designate Alzheimer's disease and other 

dementia diseases as a public health issue; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to 

the Secretary of Health with this final clause omitted from such 

copy.

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