IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 703 
Expressing support for designation of November 2016, as ‘‘National Bladder 
Health Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 26, 2016 
Mr. ENGEL submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of November 2016, as 
‘‘National Bladder Health Month’’. 
Whereas tens of millions of people in the United States are 
affected by bladder diseases and conditions including uri-
nary incontinence, overactive bladder, underactive blad-
der, interstitial cystitis, nocturia, urinary tract infections, 
bladder cancer, urotrauma, and neurogenic bladder; 
Whereas bladder diseases and conditions have a significant 
impact on health and quality of life, contributing to de-
creased physical activity (which can increase obesity lev-
els and risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease), de-
pression, social isolation, falls, sexual dysfunction, loss of 
self-esteem, hospitalizations, nursing home admissions, 
and even death; 
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•HRES 703 IH 
Whereas bladder diseases and conditions result in costs to the 
United 
States 
economy 
estimated 
at 
more 
than 
$70,000,000,000 annually; 
Whereas bladder problems are highly stigmatized, and open 
dialogue generated by Bladder Health Month can reduce 
stigma and empower providers and patients to have 
much-needed conversations about bladder health; 
Whereas medical and behavioral research to better under-
stand and maintain bladder health and treat bladder dis-
eases is critically needed, yet poorly recognized; 
Whereas bladder diseases and conditions are common in mili-
tary veterans; 
Whereas more than 1 in 10 military servicemembers injured 
in Afghanistan and Iraq have ‘‘urotrauma’’ injuries 
(damage to the urinary tract or reproductive organs); 
Whereas 1 in 3 younger women veterans report overactive 
bladder, stress urinary incontinence, and painful bladder 
symptoms; 
Whereas more than 3⁄4 of veterans with spinal cord injury 
suffer from neurogenic bladder; 
Whereas bladder cancer is the fourth most commonly diag-
nosed cancer among Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Sys-
tem patients; 
Whereas preventative campaigns and measures for diseases 
and conditions this extensive and expensive are routine 
and accepted in common medical, societal, and public 
health practice, yet none exists in a large, systematic 
fashion for bladder health; and 
Whereas November 2016 would be an appropriate month to 
designate as ‘‘National Bladder Health Month’’ since 
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•HRES 703 IH 
bladder health awareness has been promoted in Novem-
ber for more than 20 years: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 
the designation of ‘‘National Bladder Health Month’’. 
Æ 
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