HR0164enr 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0164 Enrolled LRB097 11114 GRL 52388 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION 164

WHEREAS, Brain injury is not an event or an outcome, but the start of a misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and under-funded neurological disease; individuals who sustain brain injuries must have timely access to expert trauma care, specialized rehabilitation, lifelong disease management, and individualized services and support in order to live healthy, independent, and satisfying lives; and

WHEREAS, 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year; among those who survive, 80,000 people per year must learn to cope with lifelong losses of function; the number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown; and

WHEREAS, The leading causes of traumatic brain injury are falls, motor vehicle crashes, being struck by or against an object, assaults, and blasts; many active-duty military personnel in war zones suffer traumatic brain injuries; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 3.9 million sports-related and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year; the risks of catastrophic injuries, or even death, are significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly evaluated and managed; and

WHEREAS, Concussions are a type of brain injury that can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works; concussions occur with or without loss of consciousness; a lack of proper diagnosis and management of concussions may result in serious long-term consequences, including coma or even death; signs and symptoms may be noticeable immediately, or may take days or weeks before they are present; and

WHEREAS, Anyone with signs of moderate or severe TBI should receive medical attention as soon as possible; trained medical personnel will work to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform daily activities as a result of TBI; TBI can cause a wide range of functional changes that affect thinking, sensation, language, and emotions; TBI can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the months of March 2011 and March 2012 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in the State of Illinois and urge the citizens of this State to join in recognizing the importance of prevention and early detection of brain injuries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Brain Injury Association of Illinois.