PRINTER'S NO. 985

        INTRODUCED BY O'BRIEN, ADOLPH, ARGALL, ARMSTRONG, M. BAKER,
           BARD, BEBKO-JONES, BELARDI, BELFANTI, BROWNE, CALTAGIRONE,
           CIVERA, L. I. COHEN, M. COHEN, COLAFELLA, CORRIGAN, COY,
           CRUZ, CURRY, DALEY, DeWEESE, DONATUCCI, FAIRCHILD, FICHTER,
           FORCIER, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GRUCELA, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY,
           HESS, HORSEY, JAMES, JOSEPHS, LAUGHLIN, LEDERER, MANDERINO,
           MANN, MARSICO, McNAUGHTON, MELIO, R. MILLER, MYERS, ORIE,
           PIPPY, PRESTON, READSHAW, ROBERTS, ROHRER, ROSS, SATHER,
           SAYLOR, SCHRODER, SCRIMENTI, SHANER, SOLOBAY, STABACK,
           E. Z. TAYLOR, TIGUE, WALKO, WASHINGTON, WATSON, C. WILLIAMS,
           WOJNAROSKI AND PISTELLA, MARCH 12, 2001

        INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
           MARCH 12, 2001

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Designating March 26, 2001, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" and
     2     March 26 through April 1, 2001, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness
     3     Week" in Pennsylvania.

     4     WHEREAS, An estimated 712,899 Pennsylvanians suffer from
     5  sleep apnea, a serious, potentially life-threatening breathing
     6  disorder that can be treated in most cases; and

     7     WHEREAS, Untreated, sleep apnea leads to depression, sexual

     8  dysfunction, hypertension and high blood pressure as well as an
     9  increased risk for heart attack, stroke and automobile crashes;
    10  and
    11     WHEREAS, Medical students receive only one to two hours of

    12  instruction in basic sleep science during their training, and

    13  numerous studies have concluded that the general public,

     1  policymakers and primary care physicians lack basic sleep
     2  knowledge, which compromises the health and safety of everyone;
     3  and
     4     WHEREAS, Sleepiness which results from untreated and
     5  undiagnosed sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, has been
     6  identified as the cause of a growing number of on-the-job
     7  accidents; and
     8     WHEREAS, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
     9  conservatively estimates that 100,000 motor vehicle crashes are
    10  caused by drowsy drivers each year, resulting in more than 1,500
    11  fatalities and 71,000 injuries; and
    12     WHEREAS, One-third of all Americans admit they have dozed off
    13  while driving; and
    14     WHEREAS, Based on statistics from the Department of
    15  Transportation, there were 2,409 accidents and 22 fatal crashes
    16  in this Commonwealth in 1998 attributed to drowsy drivers; and
    17     WHEREAS, The economic impact of untreated and undiagnosed
    18  sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and chronic sleepiness,
    19  is devastating: sleep deprivation and untreated apnea are
    20  estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion annually in lost
    21  productivity, medical expenses, sick leave and property and
    22  environmental damage; and
    23     WHEREAS, Based on statistics from the Department of
    24  Transportation, the 1997 economic impact loss due to traffic
    25  accidents was $987 to every man, woman and child in this
    26  Commonwealth; and
    27     WHEREAS, The Commonwealth is proud to join A.W.A.K.E in
    28  Philly Sleep Apnea Education and Support Group as it initiates
    29  "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day," coinciding with the National Sleep
    30  Foundation and the American Sleep Apnea Association's third
    20010H0082R0985                  - 2 -

     1  annual "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" on March 26, 2001; and
     2     WHEREAS, Organizers of "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" recognize
     3  that education is the foundation of civilized societies and they
     4  are committed to educating business, government and the public,
     5  creating an awareness of the severity of untreated and
     6  undiagnosed sleep disorders, including sleep apnea; therefore be
     7  it
     8     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
     9  26, 2001, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" and March 26 through
    10  April 1, 2001, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.














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