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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH
______
HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, each year in September,
designated as Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, hydrocephalus patients,
caregivers, and other supporters across the country work together to
raise awareness of the impact and prevalence of hydrocephalus and urge
public and medical officials to garner more resources to improve
treatment protocols and one day find a cure.
As we all know, COVID-19 and its inherent social distancing
requirements have limited many public awareness activities, but this
past month members of the Hydrocephalus Association and the Pediatric
Hydrocephalus Foundation, and other active supporters, adjusted and
relied on social media and other venues to share statistics, brochures
and personal stories to enhance awareness of this condition.
As the co-chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult
Hydrocephalus Caucus, I call on all my colleagues in the House to take
the time and learn more about hydrocephalus so we can better assist our
constituents and their family members who live with challenges of
hydrocephalus every day.
Hydrocephalus is colloquially known as ``water on the brain.'' In
truth, the condition is caused by an abnormal build-up of cerebrospinal
fluid and can be treated only by surgically implanting a drainage shunt
in the brain. Everyone, from babies to the elderly, can develop
hydrocephalus. While some cases are congenital, many cases are caused
by a traumatic brain injury, an infection, or even just develop as part
of the aging process.
Hospitals across the country work to serve the over one-million
adults with hydrocephalus, including the New Neurons Neurosurgery
Institute (NNNI), located in my district in Spring Lake, New Jersey.
NNNI's pediatrics division plays a critical role in addressing the
needs of thousands of children with hydrocephalus in New Jersey and
across the country. Nationwide, over 400,000 babies a year are born
with hydrocephalus.
Through their compassion, skills, and critical expertise dedicated
medical professionals such as those at NNNI save lives every day.
United States citizens are not alone in their struggles with this
condition. Unfortunately, the global situation is even worse, which is
why I've introduced the Global Brain Health Act, which adds
hydrocephalus to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This approach
would ensure more robust foreign assistance for treating those infants
and children in developing countries with hydrocephalus and other brain
health-related conditions. It also fosters study in treatment protocols
that can be shared here at home.
It's essential for Members of Congress to better understand this
condition and its profound impact on the people we represent. I urge my
colleagues to join the bipartisan Congressional Adult and Pediatric
Hydrocephalus Caucus. As a member you will not only help raise
awareness but may also play a role in creating public policies that
lead to better treatments and hopefully a cure.
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