Sponsored by:
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October 24th of each year as National Senior UTI Awareness Day.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating October 24th of each year as National Senior UTI Awareness Day.
Whereas, A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra; and
Whereas, A UTI is the most common form of bacterial infection occurring in the United States with millions of people suffering from new and recurring UTIs each year; and
Whereas, The most common symptoms of a UTI include the repeated urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, and pain in the pubic bone or the back; and
Whereas, An increasing number of UTIs are becoming resistant to currently recommended antibiotic treatments; and
Whereas, The risk of a UTI increases for both men and women with increasing age, with women being 30 times more likely to develop a UTI than men; and
Whereas, Diagnosis of UTIs among the elderly remains difficult due many factors, including a slower or suppressed immune system, increasing the likelihood of a missed or delayed diagnosis; and
Whereas, Research focused on UTIs among the elderly has been sparse and it was not until the 2000s that medical research focused specifically on UTI manifestation within the elderly population; and
Whereas, There is still unwarranted stigma associated with UTIs, with many seniors unwilling to openly discuss or seek medical care for UTIs; and
Whereas, The establishment of October 24th of each year as National Senior UTI Awareness Day will help to bring awareness of and destigmatize conversations surrounding UTIs; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October 24th of each year is designated as National Senior UTI Awareness Day in New Jersey to bring awareness of and destigmatize conversations surrounding UTIs.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, private organizations, and citizens of this State to observe October 24th as National Senior UTI Awareness Day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. The Department of Heath shall annually publicize National Senior UTI Awareness Day to educate State residents, especially senior citizens, on the symptoms associated with, and the importance of being treated for, UTIs.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates October 24th of each year as National Senior UTI Awareness Day in New Jersey. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common form of bacterial infection occurring in the United States. A UTI is an infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Common symptoms of a UTI include the repeated urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, and pain in the pubic bone or back.
Urinary tract infections are also becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant while proper diagnosis of a UTI, especially in the elderly population, remains difficult. Diagnosis of UTIs among the elderly remains difficult due many factors, including a slower or suppressed immune system, increasing the likelihood of a missed or delayed diagnosis. There also has not been much research focused on UTIs among the elderly; it was not until the 2000s that medical researchers focused their research specifically on UTI manifestation within the elderly population. Finally, there is still unwarranted stigma associated with UTIs, with many seniors unwilling to openly discuss or seek medical care for UTIs.
The establishment of October 24th of each year as National Senior UTI Awareness Day will help to bring awareness of and destigmatize conversations surrounding UTIs.