House Resolution Formally Backs 'Hydrocephalus Awareness Month' to Boost Research and Care

This resolution is essentially the House of Representatives giving a formal nod of support to the goals of “National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month” (September) and “World Hydrocephalus Day” (September 20th). It’s not a law that changes funding or creates new programs, but it’s a powerful statement acknowledging that hydrocephalus—where excess fluid builds up in the brain—is a serious public health issue demanding more attention and resources.

The resolution lays out some pretty sobering facts about the condition. Roughly one million people in the U.S. are affected, and it’s the most common reason for brain surgery in children. For context, about 1 in every 770 babies born will develop it, and an estimated 800,000 older Americans might have a form called normal pressure hydrocephalus often mistaken for other conditions, meaning they aren't getting the treatment they need.

The High Cost of the Current Fix

Right now, the only treatment is brain surgery to install a shunt, a device that drains the fluid. The problem isn’t the surgery itself, but the failure rate. These shunts fail constantly, leading to repeat emergency surgeries. The bill text highlights that over 36,000 shunt operations happen annually, and more than half are emergencies. This isn't just a physical burden; it’s a financial one, with hospital costs related to treatment topping $2 billion annually nationwide.

For anyone with a family member who has hydrocephalus, these numbers aren't abstract—they represent endless hospital visits, missed work, and the stress of managing a complex, chronic condition. The resolution is a clear recognition that the current standard of care is insufficient and that better, more permanent solutions are desperately needed.

The Transition Cliff for Young Adults

One specific, crucial detail the resolution highlights is the “transition cliff.” Every year, about 23,000 young adults (ages 18 to 22) struggle to move from pediatric neurosurgery care to adult care. Why? Because there’s a shortage of adult neurosurgeons willing to take on these complex, high-maintenance patients. This gap in care means young people who are just starting college or their first jobs are often left without consistent, specialized medical support, increasing the risk of shunt failure and serious complications.

By formally supporting the awareness days, the House is also committing to continue backing research efforts aimed at finding better ways to prevent, detect, and treat hydrocephalus. While this resolution doesn't cut a check, it puts the issue on the legislative record, validating the work of advocacy groups and signaling to federal research agencies that this is a priority. For researchers and families, this is a positive step toward securing the long-term funding necessary to move beyond the current, failure-prone treatment.