The Hydrocephalus Association announced that Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) has joined the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus.
Representative Torres will play an integral role in advocating for increased awareness, funding, and support for pediatric and adult hydrocephalus patients. His commitment further amplifies the voice of those impacted by this condition and allows him to support hydrocephalus research at Columbia University.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Representative Torres to the Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus,” said Diana Gray, President and CEO, Hydrocephalus Association. “His dedication to representing the hydrocephalus community in NY-15 underscores the urgency for critical research, improved treatments, and enhanced care for those affected by this condition.”
Hydrocephalus affects over 1 million Americans. The only known treatment for hydrocephalus is brain surgery. Anyone at any time can develop the condition from a traumatic brain injury, brain infection, tumor, or, for unknown reasons, as part of the aging process. 1 in 770 babies develop hydrocephalus each year. Over 800,000 seniors in the U.S. are estimated to have Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, though the majority are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as having Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
The most common surgical treatment for hydrocephalus is the placement of a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain, which has one of the highest failure rates of any medical device on the market. There are approximately 10,000 pediatric hospital admissions for shunt malfunctions each year. Hydrocephalus and a shunt can mean a lifetime of multiple brain surgeries. Dozens of brain surgeries are common and 100 or more is not unheard of.
“I am honored to join the Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus, standing alongside the Hydrocephalus Association in the fight for increased awareness, funding, and support for those affected by this condition in NY-15 and across the nation,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15). “Hydrocephalus impacts over a million Americans, and through our advocacy, we aim to prioritize critical research, improve treatments, and enhance care for patients. Let us work together to address the urgent needs of the hydrocephalus community, ensuring access to vital resources, research funding, and policies that truly make a difference in the lives of those facing this challenging condition.”
The Caucus serves to inform the congressional community about the needs of those living with hydrocephalus, their families, and caregivers. This includes funding for research from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense and other key health policy priorities impacting the community such as Medicare and Medicaid access, special education, and rehabilitation services.
