42 U.S.C. § 254c–5 — Epilepsy; seizure disorder

(a) National public health campaign. (1) In general. The Secretary must develop and run public health surveillance, education, research, and intervention programs to improve the lives of people with epilepsy, with a particular emphasis on children. The Secretary can carry these out directly or through grants or contracts to public or nonprofit private groups, and can give technical help with planning, building, and running these projects. (2) Certain activities. These activities must include: (A) expanding current surveillance activities and improving registries that keep data on people with epilepsy, including children; (B) enhancing research on diagnosing, treating, and managing epilepsy; (C) running public and professional information and education programs about epilepsy, including children's programs aimed at parents, schools, daycare providers, and patients, that promote effective management of the disease; (D) educating the media, health care providers, schools, and others about the stigma and secondary disabilities tied to epilepsy and seizures, and their effects on young people; (E) using and expanding partnerships with groups experienced in addressing the health and related needs of people with disabilities; and (F) other activities the Secretary decides are appropriate. (3) Coordination of activities. The Secretary must make sure these activities are coordinated, as appropriate, with other Public Health Service agencies that carry out activities related to epilepsy and seizures. (b) Seizure disorder; demonstration projects in medically underserved areas. (1) In general. The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may make grants for demonstration projects to improve access to health and other seizure-related services, to encourage early detection and treatment in children and others living in medically underserved areas. (2) Application for grant. No grant may be awarded under (1) unless an application is submitted and the Secretary approves it, in the form and manner and with the information the Secretary requires. (c) Definitions. (1) "Epilepsy" refers to a chronic and serious neurological condition marked by excessive electrical discharges in the brain that cause recurring seizures affecting all life activities. The Secretary may revise this definition as necessary. (2) "Medically underserved" has the meaning given in section 295p(6) of this title. (d) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorized such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year from 2001 through 2005.