Causer Resolution Recognizes Down Syndrome Awareness Month

HARRISBURG – The state House today declared October as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania with unanimous passage of a resolution authored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).

“It is important to bring awareness to this condition to help ensure it is properly diagnosed and that early intervention and treatment are administered,” Causer said. “It is equally important to help educate the public at large about what Down Syndrome really is and how much people living with the condition can and do contribute to our society.”

Due to advances in medicine, the average life expectancy for a person living with Down syndrome has increased from just 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years of age today. It is estimated that this genetic condition occurs in approximately one in every 800 births. The population of people living with Down syndrome in the United States is estimated at more than 400,000.

House Resolution 1078 passed the House unanimously. More information about Down syndrome is available at the National Down Syndrome Society, www.ndss.org.