A house RESOLUTION

 

to declare March 2026 as "Brain Injury Awareness Month" in South Carolina in order to support brain injury survivors and their families, to increase the public's awareness of the prevalence of brain injury in the State and nation, and to recognize the importance of prevention and treatment of brain injuries.

 

Whereas, acquired brain injury is often overlooked and underfunded and affects thousands of South Carolinians each year; and

 

Whereas, a history of brain injuries and head trauma has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, stroke, and Alzheimer's; and

 

Whereas, the elderly and children are the most likely to sustain traumatic brain injury; and

 

Whereas, falls are a leading cause of brain-related injuries in South Carolina. They can also be the result of motor vehicle crashes, assaults, sports-related injuries, occupational-related injuries, opioid overdoses, and intimate partner violence; and

 

Whereas, more than 1.2 million South Carolinians experience brain injury from trauma or stroke, and more than 209,000 South Carolinians are disabled from those events; and

 

Whereas, at least sixty-four million adults report having experienced one or more traumatic brain injuries in their lifetime; and

 

Whereas, traumatic brain injury has been classified as a chronic condition by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina has approximately 386,000 veterans. Traumatic brain injury has been a signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Treatment is often complicated by high rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and suicide which present more challenges for members of the military and their families; and

 

Whereas, as many as fifty percent of brain injuries go unreported and untreated because of a lack of education, awareness, and recognition of the effects of brain injury. Survivors and their families can struggle to secure proper medical treatment, services, and care, despite the often-lifelong effects of brain injuries; and

 

Whereas, it is estimated that the cost of traumatic brain injuries in the United States weighs in at $48.3 billion annually; and 

 

Whereas, a brain injury from trauma or stroke that happens in an instant can cause a lifetime of physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges; and

 

Whereas, early and specialized intervention, especially physical and cognitive rehabilitation, can greatly increase the quality of life and enable individuals with brain injuries to return to their homes, schools, work, or communities. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare March 2026 as "Brain Injury Awareness Month" in South Carolina in order to support brain injury survivors and their families, to increase the public's awareness of the prevalence of brain injury in the State and nation, and to recognize the importance of prevention and treatment of brain injuries.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina.

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