PRINTER'S NO. 3561
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 506
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MERCURI, AUGUST 12, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, AUGUST 12, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating June 1, 2024, as "Idiopathic Hypersomnia Day" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is a serious,
4 debilitating and chronic neurological disorder that affects the
5 brain's ability to control sleep and wakefulness; and
6 WHEREAS, IH has a life-altering impact on those afflicted by
7 the condition and their supporters; and
8 WHEREAS, The main symptom of IH is excessive daytime
9 sleepiness, where even if an individual adequately sleeps they
10 possess a strong urge to sleep during the day; and
11 WHEREAS, Additional common symptoms include brain fog,
12 nonrestorative sleep, sleep lasting more than 9 hours a night or
13 11 hours a day and severe sleep inertia accompanied by strong
14 disorientation; and
15 WHEREAS, IH adversely affects quality of life, disrupts day-
16 to-day activities and leads to problems with thinking, working
17 and socializing; and
18 WHEREAS, Individuals with IH may have trouble functioning in
 1 their jobs, staying in school, maintaining romantic
2 relationships and engaging with their friends and loved ones;
3 and
4 WHEREAS, Individuals with IH are often judged, invalidated,
5 dismissed, overlooked and inappropriately considered lazy and
6 unmotivated by loved ones, friends, employers, school
7 administrators and medical professionals; and
8 WHEREAS, Despite its seriousness, IH is under-recognized and
9 under-researched, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis; and
10 WHEREAS, When it is diagnosed, it is often delayed, sometimes
11 by up to 10 years or longer; and
12 WHEREAS, Effective treatment options are extremely limited
13 and researchers do not yet understand the pathophysiology of IH
14 or know its cause; and
15 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives applauds the grassroots
16 organizers for raising awareness, improving diagnosis and
17 encouraging and supporting efforts to increase funding and
18 research to provide support, numerous effective treatment
19 options covered by insurance and eventually a cure; therefore be
20 it
21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate June 1,
22 2024, as "Idiopathic Hypersomnia Day" in Pennsylvania.
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