California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent ResolutionNo. 72


Introduced by Assembly Member Gipson

May 14, 2015


Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 72—Relative to American Stroke Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 72, as introduced, Gipson. American Stroke Month.

This measure would declare May 2015 to be American Stroke Month in California, and would urge all Californians to familiarize themselves with the risk factors associated with stroke, to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of stroke, and, at the first signs of a stroke, to dial 9-1-1 immediately in order to begin to reduce the devastating effects of strokes on our population.

Fiscal committee: no.

P1    1WHEREAS, Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term
2disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the United States,
3killing approximately 130,000 people nationwide and over 13,500
4citizens of California each year; and

5WHEREAS, Between 2012 and 2030, total annual direct
6stroke-related medical costs are expected to increase from $71.55
7billion to $184.13 billion, and overall, total annual costs of stroke
8are projected to increase to $240.67 billion by 2030, an increase
9of 129 percent; and

10WHEREAS, Nearly 80 million Americans have high blood
11pressure, a major controllable risk factor for stroke, including 44
P2    1percent of African American adults, which is among the highest
2prevalence of any population in the world; and

3WHEREAS, More than one-half, or 58 percent, of Americans
4do not know if they are at risk for stroke; and

5WHEREAS, One in three Americans cannot recall any stroke
6warning signs or symptoms; and

7WHEREAS, The F.A.S.T. warning signs and symptoms of
8stroke include face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and
9time to call 9-1-1. Beyond F.A.S.T., additional stroke warning
10signs and symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the
11face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden
12confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble
13seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss
14of balance or coordination, and sudden severe headache with no
15known cause; and

16WHEREAS, On the American Stroke Month Day of Action
17May 1, 2015, throughout May and year-round, the American Stroke
18Association’s “Together to End Stroke” initiative encourages
19Americans to learn their personal stroke risk, memorize and share
20the stroke warning signs, and call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke;
21and

22WHEREAS, New and effective treatments have been developed
23to treat and minimize the severity and damaging effects of strokes,
24but much more research is needed; now, therefore, be it

25Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
26thereof concurring,
That the Legislature declares May 2015 to be
27American Stroke Month in California; and be it further

28Resolved, That the Legislature urges all Californians to
29familiarize themselves with the risk factors associated with stroke,
30to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of stroke, and, at
31the first signs of a stroke, to dial 9-1-1 immediately in order to
32begin to reduce the devastating effects of strokes on our population;
33and be it further

34Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
35of this resolution to the author and to the Secretary of the Senate
36for appropriate distribution.



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