Declare Celiac Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 2158 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2017, as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2017, as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Celiac disease affects approximately one in every 133 people in the United States, for a total of 3,000,000 people, including nearly 130,000 in New York State; the majority of people with celiac disease have yet to be diagnosed; and WHEREAS, Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats; this particular condition results in overall malnutrition; and WHEREAS, Celiac disease is co-morbid with many autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, liver disease, collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome; and WHEREAS, The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown; the intestines contain projections (called villi) which absorb nutrients, and in undiagnosed or untreated cases, these villi become flattened, which affects the ability to absorb nutrients properly; the disease can develop at any point in life, from infancy to late adulthood; and WHEREAS, For treatment, a lifelong gluten-free diet must be attained; foods, beverages, and medications that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats must be eliminated in order for the intestinal villi to heal; and WHEREAS, When untreated, celiac disease can cause life-threatening complications; 97 percent of cases remain undiagnosed and the average cost of an undiagnosed case is between $5,000 and $12,000 per person; based on these estimates, undiagnosed celiac disease is conservatively costing New York State residents more than $725 million annually in unnecessary medical bills; and WHEREAS, Delaying diagnosis or not following the diet puts one at risk for related conditions such as: autoimmune disorders, certain types of intestinal cancer, fractures, infertility, miscarriage, and osteoporosis; and WHEREAS, Through public awareness, this Legislative Body seeks to minimize the devastating effects of celiac disease among all the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2017, as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, the Greater New York City Celiac Support Group, NYCeliac, the New York Restaurant Association, the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, Sherry Lynn's Gluten Free Restaurant, Wheatfield's Restaurant, the Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Disease Resource, Inc., and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.