---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 254c–5"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "254c–5"
heading: "Epilepsy; seizure disorder"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/254c-5"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part D — Primary Health Care"
  - "Subpart i — health centers"
---

# §254c–5. Epilepsy; seizure disorder

- (a) **National public health campaign—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall develop and implement public health surveillance, education, research, and intervention strategies to improve the lives of persons with epilepsy, with a particular emphasis on children. Such [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) may be carried out by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) directly and through awards of grants or contracts to public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entities. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may directly or through such awards provide technical assistance with respect to the planning, development, and operation of such [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Certain activities—** Activities under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall include—
    - (A) expanding current surveillance activities through existing monitoring systems and improving registries that maintain data on individuals with epilepsy, including children;
    - (B) enhancing research activities on the diagnosis, [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11), and management of epilepsy;
    - (C) implementing public and professional information and education [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) regarding epilepsy, including initiatives which promote effective management of the disease through children’s [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) which are targeted to parents, [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6), daycare [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8), patients;
    - (D) undertaking educational efforts with the media, [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8) of health care, [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and others regarding stigmas and secondary disabilities related to epilepsy and seizures, and its effects on youth;
    - (E) utilizing and expanding partnerships with organizations with experience addressing the health and related needs of people with disabilities; and
    - (F) other activities the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) deems appropriate.
  - (3) **Coordination of activities—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall ensure that activities under this subsection are coordinated as appropriate with other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of the Public Health [Service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) that carry out activities regarding epilepsy and seizure.
- (b) **Seizure disorder; demonstration projects in medically underserved areas—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), acting through the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Health Resources and [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) Administration, may make grants for the purpose of carrying out demonstration [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) to improve access to health and other [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) regarding seizures to encourage early detection and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) in children and others residing in medically underserved areas.
  - (2) **Application for grant—** A grant may not be awarded under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) unless an application therefore is submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) and the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) approves such application. Such application shall be submitted in such form and manner and shall contain such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may prescribe.
- (c) **Definitions—** For purposes of this section:
  - (1) The term “epilepsy” refers to a chronic and serious neurological condition characterized by excessive electrical discharges in the brain causing recurring seizures affecting all life activities. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may revise the definition of such term to the extent the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) determines necessary.
  - (2) The term “medically underserved” has the meaning applicable under [section 295p(6) of this title](/usc/42/295p.md?p=6).
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 330E, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title VIII, § 801, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1124.)