Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Proclaiming May 2013 to be "American Stroke Month" in Madison, Wisconsin.
Body
WHEREAS, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, killing about 130,000 people nationwide and 2,600 citizens of Wisconsin each year; and,
WHEREAS, stroke prevalence is projected to increase by 24.9% between 2010 and 2030 and the direct medical costs for treating stroke are expected to increase by 238%, from $28.3 billion in 2010 to $95.6 billion by 2030; and,
WHEREAS, new and effective treatments have been developed to treat and minimize the severity and damaging effect of strokes, but much more research is needed; and,
WHEREAS, Americans are more aware of the risk factors and warning signs for stroke than in the past, but according to a recent survey, one-third of adults cannot identify any symptoms; and,
WHEREAS, the F.A.S.T. warning signs and symptoms of stroke include face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 9-1-1; and beyond F.A.S.T., additional stroke warning signs and symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause; and,
WHEREAS, a new study by the American Stroke Association shows that the quick actions by EMS professionals are instrumental in saving lives from stroke and producing better outcomes for stroke survivors, but more than a third of stroke patients fail to use EMS; and,
WHEREAS, throughout American Stroke Month 2013 the American Stroke Association will honor those EMS professionals and stroke survivors who have acted F.A.S.T. in a stroke emergency to save lives by highlighting and sharing their stories; and,
WHEREAS, the American Stroke Association's Power To End Stroke will increase physical activity in at risk populations through the online Power Fitness challenge. The challenge will track individual's physical activity through a mobile app or device and encourage them to make exercise a daily activity through prize offerings and community support,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Mayor and Common Council do hereby proclaim May 2013 to be "American Stroke Month" in Madison and urge all residents to familiarize themselves with the risk factors associated with stroke, to recognize the warning signs and symptoms, and on first signs of a stroke dial 9-1-1 immediately so that we might begin to reduce the devastating effects of stroke on individuals and their families.