Title: Expressing support for designation of November 2017, as "National Bladder Health Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the designation of National Bladder Health Month.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 67 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 67

  Expressing support for designation of November 2017, as ``National 
                        Bladder Health Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 27, 2017

  Mr. Engel (for himself, Ms. Meng, Mrs. Lawrence, and Mr. Langevin) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                   on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for designation of November 2017, as ``National 
                        Bladder Health Month''.

Whereas tens of millions of people in the United States are affected by bladder 
        diseases and conditions including urinary incontinence, overactive 
        bladder, underactive bladder, 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 decreased physical activity (which can 
        increase obesity levels and risk of diabetes and cardiovascular 
        disease), depression, social isolation, falls, sexual dysfunction, loss 
        of self-esteem, hospitalizations, nursing home admissions, and even 
        death;
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 understand and maintain 
        bladder health and treat bladder diseases is critically needed, yet 
        poorly recognized;
Whereas bladder diseases and conditions are common in military 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 diagnosed cancer among 
        Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System 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 2017 would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National 
        Bladder Health Month'' since bladder health awareness has been promoted 
        in November for more than 20 years: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
designation of ``National Bladder Health Month''.
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