PRINTER'S NO. 1875

        INTRODUCED BY STACK, WOZNIAK, WAGNER, COSTA, LOGAN, BODACK,
           EARLL, ERICKSON, KUKOVICH, STOUT, O'PAKE, BRIGHTBILL, MUSTO,
           BELL AND BOSCOLA, APRIL 9, 2002

        INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 9, 2002

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Designating April 10, 2002, as "Sleep Apnea Awareness Day" in
     2     Pennsylvania.

     3     WHEREAS, Awake In Philly Community Education Group is
     4  organizing the second annual "Pennsylvania Sleep Apnea Awareness
     5  Day" to be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2002; and
     6     WHEREAS, An estimated 712,899 Pennsylvanians suffer from
     7  sleep apnea, a serious, potentially life-threatening breathing
     8  disorder that can be treated in most cases; and
     9     WHEREAS, Untreated, sleep apnea leads to depression, sexual
    10  dysfunction and hypertension as well as an increased risk for
    11  heart attack, stroke and automobile accidents; and
    12     WHEREAS, Sleep apnea can be successfully treated once
    13  properly diagnosed without surgery or other invasive action; and
    14     WHEREAS, Through intervention and diagnosis of sleep apnea,
    15  overall health care costs in this Commonwealth may be reduced,
    16  and improved health, including fewer or milder cases of
    17  depression, hypertension, heart attacks, stroke and automobile

     1  accidents, may be seen as a benefit; and
     2     WHEREAS, Numerous studies have concluded that the general
     3  public, policy makers and primary care physicians lack basic
     4  sleep knowledge, which compromises the health and safety of
     5  everyone; and
     6     WHEREAS, Medical students receive on average two hours of
     7  instruction in basic sleep science during their training, which
     8  covers more than 80 classified sleep disorders; and
     9     WHEREAS, The societal and economic costs of untreated and
    10  undiagnosed sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and chronic
    11  sleepiness, are devastating; and
    12     WHEREAS, Sleep deprivation and untreated sleep disorders are
    13  estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion annually in lost
    14  productivity, medical expenses, sick leave and property and
    15  environmental damage; and
    16     WHEREAS, Organizers of the 2002 "Pennsylvania Sleep Apnea
    17  Awareness Day" recognize that education is the foundation of
    18  civilized societies and are committed to educating business,
    19  government and the public at large, creating an awareness of the
    20  impact of untreated and undiagnosed sleep disorders; and
    21     WHEREAS, During the 2002 "Pennsylvania Sleep Apnea Awareness
    22  Day," Awake In Philly Community Education Group and other
    23  organizations will be sharing information at events in malls and
    24  other locations throughout this Commonwealth; therefore be it
    25     RESOLVED, That the Senate designate April 10, 2002, as "Sleep
    26  Apnea Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and commend Awake In Philly
    27  Community Education Group for its involvement in raising
    28  awareness of sleep apnea.


    D8L82MSP/20020S0203R1875         - 2 -