Bill Text: NY J02362 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2020, as Birth Defects Prevention Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-14 - ADOPTED [J02362 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02362-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2362

BY: Senator RIVERA

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        January  2020,  as Birth Defects Prevention 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
health issues 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,  it  is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  to  proclaim  January  2020,  as
Birth  Defects Prevention Month in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Birth Defects Prevention Month; and

  WHEREAS, Birth defects are common, costly, and critical; while  many
unknown  factors  play  a role in birth defects occurrence, steps can be
taken to help prevent or limit certain risks for birth defects, such  as
exposure  to chemicals in the home or at work, use of alcohol and street
drugs, a lack of folic acid in a woman's diet, lack  of  prenatal  care,
and infections during pregnancy; and

  WHEREAS,  Every four and a half minutes, a baby in the United States
is born with a birth defect; birth defects are a leading cause of  death
in the first year of life, causing one in every five infant deaths; and

  WHEREAS,  These  conditions  lead to $5 billion per year in hospital
costs alone in the United States; and

  WHEREAS, In New York State, over 7,000 infants are  born  each  year
with  at  least  one birth defect; birth defects in New York account for
about 379 infant deaths every year; and

  WHEREAS, Birth defects can occur in any family regardless  of  race,
ethnicity, health history, economic status, or level of education; and

  WHEREAS,  About  half of all pregnancies are unplanned, contributing
to late entry into prenatal care and presenting  a  barrier  to  optimal
pregnancy  management,  particularly during the crucial first weeks of a
baby's development; and

  WHEREAS, Early identification of a child with a birth defect coupled
with early intervention services typically improves the child's  quality
of life and may even save his or her life; and

  WHEREAS,  Taking  steps  to  avoid  infections  during pregnancy can
reduce the chance that a child is born with a birth defect; and

  WHEREAS, The National  Birth  Defects  Prevention  Network  and  CDC
encourage  parents-to-be to reduce the chance of developing an infection
during pregnancy by observing the following guidelines: get  vaccinated,
prevent insect bites, and practice good hygiene; and

  WHEREAS,  The  good health and well-being of the people of the State
of New York are enhanced by the support of a national effort to  educate
about preconception health and strategies to prevent birth defects; and

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

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  to  proclaim  January  2020,  as
Birth  Defects  Prevention  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.