AL SJR80

Urges the Alabama Department of Public Health to increase public awareness of the risks posed by nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and stroke.

Notes that NVAF affects approximately 5.8 million people in the U.S. and accounts for roughly 95 percent of all atrial fibrillation cases.

Identifies that individuals with NVAF have five times greater risk of stroke, with approximately 15 percent of all strokes attributable to NVAF.

States that NVAF cost an estimated $6.65 billion per year as of 2005, with nearly 75 percent of costs associated with hospitalization.

Directs public health awareness efforts to include information about treatment options available for NVAF to reduce stroke-related disability and death.