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Recognizing Hydrocephalus Awareness Month

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 29, 2022
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Every September patients, caregivers, and their families come together throughout our Nation in support of the more than 1,000,000 people of all ages living with hydrocephalus in the United States.

As co-chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus, I believe Congress has an important role to play in raising awareness of this condition and crafting policies that result in better treatments and potentially a cure. I urge my colleagues to join the caucus to learn more about this devastating condition. In addition, I urge you to join Representative Chris Smith and me in showing your support for this community by cosponsoring our resolution, H. Res. 20, which supports the goals and ideals of Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.

Hydrocephalus is a complex, chronic neurological condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. From newborns to seniors, anyone can develop hydrocephalus at any time.

The breathtaking prevalence of this condition is reflected in my own district. I recently met a constituent in Austin who described the challenges she has faced due to the limited treatment options available for hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in young children. The physicians and staff at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio perform the brain surgeries necessary to treat many of the one in 770 babies across the country who develop hydrocephalus each year.

Veterans and active military personnel, such as those stationed at Joint Base San Antonio, are disproportionally affected. Since 2000, more than 370,000 U.S. service members have sustained a traumatic brain injury, and it is estimated that 14 percent of those individuals with severe TBI--over 50,000 service members--could develop hydrocephalus as a result.

Let's join together in recognizing Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Congressman Smith and I welcome all colleagues to become members of the Congressional Pediatric and Hydrocephalus Caucus and cosponsoring H. Res. 20.

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