Luján, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Recognize May as Stroke Awareness Month

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution to recognize May as Stroke Awareness Month. The resolution encourages continued coordination and cooperation between the federal government, researchers, families, and the public to improve prognoses by increasing access to timely treatments for individuals who suffer strokes.

“I never thought having a stroke would happen to me – until it did. Now more than ever, I understand the importance of increasing awareness of strokes. Recognizing the signs of a stroke can save a life,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to lead my Senate colleagues in recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month. Now, Congress must work together to support research and increase access to treatments to save lives.”

“A stroke can happen to any American at any time, but we can save lives by raising awareness of the prevention methods and the signs of a stroke, as well as sharing resources for those who have suffered a stroke. I’m glad to join my colleagues in the Senate to recognize the month of May as Stroke Awareness Month,” said Senator Braun

“Recognizing the warning signs of a stroke is critical to getting the necessary urgent medical care. I know this firsthand – and that’s why I’m glad to once again join Senator Luján in this effort to build stroke awareness and encourage our government and the medical community to work closely together to disseminate information and improve access to treatment,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“The American Heart Association is grateful to Sen. Ben Ray Luján for turning his own experience into action by championing equal access to rehabilitation for all people who have suffered a stroke. This Stroke Month and throughout the year, we are pleased to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to help reduce the nationwide burden of heart disease and stroke,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

“We are pleased to support the American Stroke Month resolution,” said William Hait, Executive Vice President, Chief External Innovation and Medical Officer for Johnson & Johnson. “Strokes are devastating events that affect millions of Americans each year, with a disproportionate impact among communities of color. At Johnson & Johnson, we are committed to changing the trajectory of cardiovascular disease outcomes and are taking a comprehensive and science-driven approach to addressing stroke by delivering innovative medical technologies and transformative medicines for patients. This resolution would bring much needed action and attention to advance solutions that prevent and treat strokes, improving health outcomes for millions of people.”

In the United States, nearly 795,000 people have a stroke each year, with someone suffering from a stroke every 40 seconds. Today, strokes are now the fifth leading cause of death, costing nearly $53 billion between 2017 and 2018, including the cost of healthcare services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work.

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