Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Proclaiming May 2014 as "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 over 2,500 citizens of Wisconsin each year; and,
WHEREAS, stroke prevalence is projected to increase by 24.9 percent between 2010 and 2030 and the direct medical costs for treating stroke are expected to increase by 238 percent, from $28.3 billion in 2010 to $95.6 billion by 2030; and,
WHEREAS, nearly 78 million Americans have high blood pressure which is a major controllable risk factor for stroke, including 44 percent of African American adults - among the highest prevalence of any population in the world; and,
WHEREAS, more than half (58%) of Americans don't know if they are at risk for stroke; and,
WHEREAS, one in three Americans can't recall any stroke warning signs or 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, on the American Stroke Month Day of Action May 1, 2014, throughout May and year-round, the American Stroke Association's Together to End Stroke initiative encourages Americans to learn their personal stroke risk, memorize and share the stroke warning signs, and call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke; 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,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mayor and Madison Common Council do hereby proclaim May 2014 to be American Stroke Month in Madison, Wisconsin and urge all the citizens of our city to familiarize themselves with the risk factors associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs and symptoms, and on first sign of a stroke dial 9-1-1 immediately so that we might begin to reduce the devastating effects of stroke on our population.