THE BILL ITSELF
HR 8065
Epilepsy Awareness Month
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House Resolution
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A resolution designating November 2026 as "Epilepsy
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Awareness Month" in Florida.
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WHEREAS, epilepsy, a brain disorder characterized by
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recurring and unprovoked seizures, can affect people of every
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gender, race, and age at any time, and
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WHEREAS, according to the United States Centers for Disease
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Control and Prevention, people with epilepsy face serious
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barriers to health care access in this country because compared
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to those without epilepsy, people with epilepsy are less likely
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to be able to afford medication, specialty care, dental care,
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and vision care and are also less likely to find transportation
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and health care providers and specialists, and
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WHEREAS, epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological
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disorder in the world, afflicting approximately 3 million adults
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age 18 and older and 456,000 children age 17 and younger in the
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United States, and
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WHEREAS, more than 500,000 people with the disorder live in
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Florida, the highest concentration of people with epilepsy in
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the nation, and
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WHEREAS, people with epilepsy are up to three times more
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likely than the general population to suffer premature death,
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and
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WHEREAS, 25 percent of epilepsy cases are potentially
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preventable with adequate preventive measures and care, such as
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perinatal care during pregnancy; control of high blood pressure,
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diabetes, and obesity; and measures to reduce cardiovascular
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risk factors, and
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WHEREAS, since treatment of this disorder with appropriate
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medication could control seizures in 70 percent of people with
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epilepsy, awareness of this widespread brain disease is of the
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utmost importance, NOW, THEREFORE,
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Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
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Florida:
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That the month of November 2026 is designated as "Epilepsy
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Awareness Month" in Florida.