103 STAT. 3034 PROCLAMATION 5975—MAY 11, 1989 of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirteenth. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 5975 of May 11, 1989 National Stroke Awareness Month, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of adult disability. It strikes between 400,000 and 600,000 Americans each year. Many of its victims, their brain cells damaged by impaired circulation, never fully regain their physical and mental abili- ties. Stroke costs this country more than $11 billion annually in medical treatment and lost productivity, but far more regrettable is the immeas- urable suffering it brings to victims and their families. Stroke occurs suddenly, abruptly ending careers and thwarting plans for the future. Its causes, however, are more subtle. Stroke can result from a blood clot that blocks circulation, a buildup of fatty deposits in arteries that then become dangerously narrow, or the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. Smoking, diabetes, and stress also may con- tribute to a stroke attack. Stroke can often be avoided by controlling its risk factors. Paying at- tention to stroke's warning signals, particularly the symptoms of a tran- sient ischemic attack, or "little stroke," can prevent serious damage to a victim's health and may even save his life. During this temporary attack, a person may experience numbness, weakness, or tingling in an extremity or side of the face, momentarily lose sight in one or both eyes, or have difficulty speaking. Such a "little stroke" requires imme- diate medical attention to prevent its probable reciurence as a major attack. Scientists, physicians, and public health educators are working hard to eliminate the threat of stroke. Within the Federal Government, the re- search assault on this disease is being led by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Several major clinical trials of pre- ventive treatments are currently being conducted, and 13 clinical re- search centers have been established in medical complexes across the covmtry. However, because so many of the condition's risk factors can be mini- mized by personal effort, public awareness is the key weapon in con- quering stroke. The National Stroke Association, the National Heart Association, and other private voluntary agencies play an important role in educating the public about stroke and provide valuable services for victims and their families. We do well to support their efforts and to heed their advice in caring for our health. To enhance public awareness of stroke, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 62, has designated the month of May 1989 as "National
�
