STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3676

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 240

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 240, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS "BRAIN ANEURYSM AWARENESS MONTH","

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Governor to designate the month of September as "Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month".

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Brain Aneurysm Foundation.

     Your Committee finds that in the United States between two and five per cent of the population, or approximately fifteen million people, have or will have a brain aneurysm.  However, less than thirty thousand of these brain aneurysms will rupture resulting in death or debilitating damage to the individuals.

     Your Committee also finds that certain factors contribute to the formation of brain aneurysms including smoking, alcohol use, family history, and other inherited disorders.

     Your Committee recognizes that the scanning technology such as magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI") or computed tomography ("CAT SCAN") can detect brain aneurysms, and if detected before the brain aneurysm ruptures, the patient can often be treated successfully with microsurgery.

     Your Committee therefore finds that awareness programs, education, and early detection procedures are important tools in the treatment and prevention of brain aneurysm ruptures.  These tools not only save lives but can minimize the debilitating effects this condition can have on the individuals and their families.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 240, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair