Support for the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act

Cerebral palsy is the most prevalent lifelong motor impairment, affecting over 1 million Americans and more than 17 million people globally. Despite the significant number of individuals living with cerebral palsy, there has been no dedicated federal cerebral palsy research program to date.

As scientific advancements continue to accelerate and new treatment breakthroughs are possible, increased federal investment is crucial to enhance understanding of cerebral palsy causation and prevention, identify more effective lifespan treatments, and explore potential cures of many types of cerebral palsy that are now within reach.

The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) has worked with bipartisan members of United States Congress on the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act, establishing the first-ever dedicated federal program for cerebral palsy research.

CPF strongly supports the Cerebral Palsy Research Authorization Act, which addresses the urgent need for increased research and resources for cerebral palsy - the most common lifelong motor impairment, affecting more than 1,000,000 Americans. This Act represents a significant step forward in improving the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy and their families and we are grateful to Congressmen Steve Cohen, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Emanuel Cleaver for their leadership on this important public health issue. This Act will directly lead to breakthroughs that reduce the prevalence and impact of cerebral palsy, enhancing quality of life and reducing the financial burdens associated with lifelong care.

Historically, the lack of dedicated federal funding has hindered progress in developing more effective care and treatment for cerebral palsy. It is vital that Congress passes the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act to drive essential advancements that will vastly improve prevention protocols, more effective treatments, and health outcomes for people living with cerebral palsy.

We urge the entire cerebral palsy community to voice strong support for the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act right now. We invite your family, organization, academic institution, or company to join this crucial effort and sign our petition by April 18th, 2025.