WHEREAS, The Monell Chemical Senses Center is celebrating 55 years of contributing to the life sciences in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Located in University City, The Monell Center is the world’s only independent, non-profit scientific institute dedicated to interdisciplinary basic research on the senses of taste and smell; and
WHEREAS, From November 5 to November 7, 2023, the Monell Center is hosting Towards University Chemosensory Testing, the first-ever conference on smell and taste testing in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Smell and taste loss can be symptoms of diseases like neurological disorders. The Monell Center is leading public health officials to adopt smell and taste testing as an important health monitoring and preventative tool; and
WHEREAS, In their 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes a future in which routine smell testing can help medical providers identify people more likely to develop neurodegenerative disorders. Monell is one of the leading voices in taste and smell testing in support of this NIH effort; and
WHEREAS, The US Department of Health and Human Services’ “Healthy People 2030” initiative has a stated goal to increase the percentage of adults with smell or taste disorders who have seen a healthcare provider about their disorder from 20.3% to 26.2% by the year 2030. Monell’s support of smell and taste testing moves us closer to this national goal; and
WHEREAS, Monell has developed a rapid smell test, SCENTinel, which makes routine smell screening accessible and affordable to all. With the support of public health officials and clinicians, smell tests will enter mainstream use; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby declares November 2023 Smell and Taste Testing Month in the City of Philadelphia, in recognition of the contributions of the Monell Chemical Senses Center and its 55-year history of biomedical research focused on the senses of smell and taste.
FURTHER RESOLVED, An Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the organizers of the Towards University Chemosensory Testing conference as a token of this body’s respect and appreciation.
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