Senate Resolution No. 845

BY: Senator PERSAUD

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        November  2021,  as Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness
        Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  months  that  are  set  aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  November  2021,  as
Pulmonary  Hypertension  Awareness  Month  in  the State of New York, in
conjunction with  the  observance  of  National  Pulmonary  Hypertension
Awareness Month; and

  WHEREAS, Each November, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA)
launches   a  national  campaign  to  raise  awareness  about  pulmonary
hypertension (PH); this progressive rare  disease  is  defined  by  high
blood pressure in the lungs and can cause right-heart failure and death;
and

  WHEREAS,  Although  it  is  not  known  exactly  how many people are
affected, PH is a contributing factor to more than 18,000  adult  deaths
in  the  United States every year; it affects people of any age, and can
occur among those with left-heart disease, associated conditions such as
sleep  apnea,  chronic   obstructive   pulmonary   disease   (COPD)   or
scleroderma, or from congenital heart disease; and

  WHEREAS,   The   disease   is   significantly   underdiagnosed   and
misunderstood, even among health  care  providers;  symptoms,  including
shortness  of  breath,  fatigue  and  chest  pain,  are  not necessarily
specific to PH and can lead to dangerous delays in a correct  diagnosis;
and

  WHEREAS, While PH is incurable, early diagnosis and proper treatment
can extend and improve an individual's quality of life; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity  at
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  November  2021,  as
Pulmonary  Hypertension Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be
it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.