ASSEMBLY AGING AND SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 54

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 5, 2021

      The Assembly Aging and Senior Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Joint Resolution No. 54.

     This joint resolution designates the month of May of each year as “Stroke Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

     A stroke disrupts the flow of blood to the brain and can lead to serious disabilities such as paralysis, problems with cognitive skills, and speech impairment. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. People can also suffer from transient ischemic attacks, commonly known as ministrokes. Approximately 800,000 Americans have strokes each year, resulting in about 140,000 deaths. People of all ages, ethnicities, and genders can suffer from strokes but risk increases with age and African- Americans are twice as likely to suffer from strokes.

     The American Stroke Association estimates that 80 percent of strokes can be prevented. It is important to raise awareness on the risk factors of a stroke, which include family history, personal habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, diet, and lack of physical activity. It is also key to promote the warning signs that a person may have suffered a stroke or ministroke, including difficulty thinking clearly, inability to understand language or speech, tingling sensations in the body, and trouble walking or maintaining balance. The American Stroke Association encourages use of the F.A.S.T. system to determine if a person shows signs of a stroke, including face drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech, and if so, deciding it is time to call 911. Promoting the warning signs will help people understand if they or other individuals are suffering from a stroke, which can lead to quicker medical treatment and the prevention of long-term disabilities.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.