California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month.
Impact
By officially designating April 2020 as the awareness month, the bill encourages the state and its citizens to engage in educational activities that inform the public about CDH. The resolution emphasizes the importance of quality prenatal care including ultrasound screenings to detect CDH early, as well as the need for improved neonatal care. It aims to fosters a community response towards better healthcare outcomes for infants suffering from this condition.
Summary
ACR171, titled California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month, was introduced by Assembly Member Fong and aims to designate April 2020 as a month to raise awareness about Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). CDH is a serious birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not fully develop, leading to complications such as underdeveloped lungs which impact the newborn's respiratory functions. The resolution seeks to highlight the critical nature of this condition and the challenges faced by affected infants.
Contention
There are likely various viewpoints regarding the emphasis placed on CDH awareness. Proponents would argue that such designations are necessary to facilitate funding and resources for research and treatment of CDH. However, some might contend that focusing on awareness months could detract from pressing immediate healthcare issues or overshadow other critical birth defects that also need attention and resources.