IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1479 
Expressing support for the goals and ideas of ‘‘National Hydrocephalus 
Awareness Month’’ and ‘‘World Hydrocephalus Day’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. DOGGETT) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the goals and ideas of ‘‘National 
Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’ and ‘‘World Hydro-
cephalus Day’’. 
Whereas hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of cere-
brospinal fluid in the brain, is a life-threatening condition 
that affects approximately 1,000,000 people in the 
United States with an incidence rate globally of 85 per 
100,000 individuals; 
Whereas 1 out of every 770 babies will develop hydro-
cephalus; 
Whereas it is estimated that 800,000 older Americans may 
be living with normal pressure hydrocephalus, of which 
80 percent of cases are believed to be undiagnosed and 
untreated; 
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•HRES 1479 IH 
Whereas anyone at any age can develop hydrocephalus; 
Whereas the annual hospital charges related to hydrocephalus 
medical costs nationally are over $2,000,000,000 per 
year; 
Whereas, since 2000, more than 470,000 United States 
servicemembers have sustained a traumatic brain injury 
(TBI), one cause of hydrocephalus; 
Whereas it is estimated that 14 percent of these patriots who 
suffered a severe TBI could develop hydrocephalus; 
Whereas there is no cure for hydrocephalus, and the only 
treatment is costly brain surgery which frequently must 
be repeated to replace the shunt, a medical device that 
is the most common treatment for the condition and has 
one of the highest failure rates of all medical devices; 
Whereas over 36,000 shunt surgeries are performed each 
year (one every 15 minutes), and more than half rep-
resent emergencies; 
Whereas there are approximately 10,000 pediatric hospital 
admissions for shunt malfunctions each year; 
Whereas, approximately 23,000 young adults between the 
ages of 18 to 22 must transition from pediatric to adult 
health care each year, yet these young adults experience 
significant barriers impacting continuity of care, includ-
ing a lack of adult-focused neurosurgeons willing to take 
them as patients; 
Whereas the Hydrocephalus Association and other organiza-
tions, such as the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, 
serve as global leaders for hydrocephalus awareness, edu-
cation, support, advocacy, and research funding; and 
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•HRES 1479 IH 
Whereas the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation and the 
Hydrocephalus Association recognize September as ‘‘Na-
tional Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’ and September 
20 as ‘‘World Hydrocephalus Day’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) support the goals and ideas of ‘‘National 
Hydrocephalus Month’’ and ‘‘World Hydrocephalus 
Day’’; and 
(2) continue to support research to prevent, de-
tect, and treat hydrocephalus. 
Æ 
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