[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1646 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1646

 Supporting the recognition of November as ``Bladder Health Awareness 
   Month'', supporting efforts to increase public education, reduce 
 stigma, and improve access to care for bladder health conditions, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 2, 2026

Mr. Carter of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Mr. McCormick, Mr. 
Lieu, Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Miller of West 
Virginia, and Mr. Mullin) submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the recognition of November as ``Bladder Health Awareness 
   Month'', supporting efforts to increase public education, reduce 
 stigma, and improve access to care for bladder health conditions, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas bladder health is essential to overall health and well-being;
Whereas normal bladder function, including urine output, is both a vital sign 
        and an accessible whole-body health biomarker for people of all ages, 
        reflecting metabolism, circulation, hydration, nervous system 
        regulation, and overall health, with or without a bladder condition;
Whereas bladder infections and chronic bladder pain conditions, such as 
        interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome, affect 15,000,000 to 
        20,000,000 people in the United States annually;
Whereas bladder control problems, including overactive bladder and urinary 
        incontinence, affect an estimated 43,000,000, or 1 in 6, United States 
        adults of all ages;
Whereas, in the case of older adults, bladder control issues are a leading cause 
        of institutionalization;
Whereas contributing factors to urinary incontinence and overactive bladder 
        symptoms among men include prostate enlargement and prostate 
        interventions;
Whereas contributing factors to urinary incontinence and overactive bladder 
        symptoms among women include pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause;
Whereas bladder health conditions can significantly impair quality of life, 
        including sleep, work productivity, social withdrawal, and mental 
        health;
Whereas bladder health conditions are linked to serious health consequences such 
        as falls, fractures, urinary tract infections, and skin breakdown;
Whereas stigma, lack of awareness, and misdiagnosis often prevent individuals 
        with bladder health conditions from seeking timely treatment, with time 
        from the onset of symptoms to the initiation of treatment taking on 
        average 7 years, and only 1 in 3 patients ever seeking treatment;
Whereas the total national cost of overactive bladder in the United States is 
        estimated at over $80,000,000,000, including direct costs such as 
        diagnosis, treatment, and routine care, as well as indirect costs such 
        as lost productivity due to absenteeism and presenteeism;
Whereas improved public education, provider training, and access to care are 
        essential to reduce stigma and improve outcomes for those suffering from 
        bladder health conditions;
Whereas the American Urological Association, the Urology Care Foundation, the 
        National Association for Continence, the Society of Urodynamics, Female 
        Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction, and other organizations 
        recognize November as ``Bladder Health Awareness Month'' and provide 
        resources to raise awareness and support affected individuals; and
Whereas increased public awareness and early treatment of bladder conditions 
        will improve quality of life for millions of people in the United 
        States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the recognition of ``Bladder Health Awareness 
        Month'';
            (2) recognizes that bladder health is an important issue 
        for individuals of all ages;
            (3) supports the goals and ideals of ``Bladder Health 
        Awareness Month'', including increasing public education, 
        reducing stigma, and improving access to care for bladder 
        health conditions;
            (4) encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
        to develop and disseminate public information regarding bladder 
        health, including awareness, incidence, prevalence, risk 
        factors, symptoms, and available treatment options;
            (5) urges partnerships with nonprofit organizations, 
        consumer groups, and academic institutions, and public-private 
        initiatives, to promote bladder health education;
            (6) supports provider education and evidence-based training 
        for health care professionals in diagnosing and treating 
        bladder health conditions; and
            (7) encourages individuals to speak openly about bladder 
        health and seek appropriate medical care.
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