Florida Senate - 2017                            (NP)    SR 1824
       
       
        
       By Senator Hukill
       
       
       
       
       
       14-00581A-17                                          20171824__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing May 2017 as “American Stroke
    3         Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term
    6  disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United
    7  States, killing more than 130,000 people nationwide and 29,600
    8  in Florida, and
    9         WHEREAS, stroke prevalence is projected to increase by 20.5
   10  percent between 2016 and 2030, and the direct medical costs for
   11  treating stroke are expected to almost triple during that
   12  period, from $71.6 billion to $184.1 billion, and
   13         WHEREAS, nearly 80 million Americans have high blood
   14  pressure, a major controllable risk factor for stroke, including
   15  44 percent of African-American adults, an incidence that is
   16  among the highest percentage of hypertension in any population
   17  in the world, and
   18         WHEREAS, 58 percent of Americans don’t know they are at
   19  risk for stroke, and one in three cannot recall any stroke
   20  warning signs or symptoms, which may include sudden numbness or
   21  weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the
   22  body; sudden confusion or difficulty in speaking or
   23  understanding; sudden difficulty in seeing in one or both eyes;
   24  sudden difficulty in walking; dizziness; loss of balance or
   25  coordination; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause,
   26  and
   27         WHEREAS, the most common signs and symptoms of stroke can
   28  be remembered by the acronym F.A.S.T., which stands for face
   29  drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 9-1
   30  1, and
   31         WHEREAS, on May 1, 2017, the American Stroke Association
   32  will celebrate its Day of Action as part of American Stroke
   33  Month and as part of its year-round initiative, “Together to End
   34  Stroke,” launched in collaboration with the American Heart
   35  Association, which brings stroke awareness to the forefront of
   36  Americans’ minds and encourages people to memorize and share the
   37  stroke warning signs and call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a
   38  stroke, and
   39         WHEREAS, new and effective treatments have been developed
   40  to treat and minimize the severity and damaging effects of
   41  strokes, but much more research is needed, NOW, THEREFORE,
   42  
   43  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   44  
   45         That May 2017 is recognized as “American Stroke Month” in
   46  Florida and that all residents of this state are urged to
   47  familiarize themselves with the risk factors, warning signs, and
   48  symptoms associated with stroke.
   49         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the residents of this state are
   50  encouraged to call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke in order
   51  to reduce the devastating effects of stroke and to ensure that
   52  Floridians may live stronger, healthier lives.