What's happening
This resolution urges Governor Cuomo to proclaim October 2017 as Spina Bifida Awareness Month in New York State.
Why it matters
Highlights the significant medical and financial impact of Spina Bifida. , noting both the high lifetime costs associated with care and the much greater medical expenditures for affected children, which can inform public support for better services and funding.
Draws attention to the effectiveness of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects. , emphasizing widespread gaps in awareness, especially given the high rate of unplanned pregnancies, and advocating for expanded folic acid education among women of childbearing age.
Reflects a broader push for public health interventions. , as the resolution links declining rates of Spina Bifida to folic acid fortification in the food supply, suggesting that prevention strategies can yield measurable results.
Aims to reduce stigma and increase support for individuals and families affected by Spina Bifida. , potentially influencing policy, healthcare provision, and social support through raising awareness at the state level.
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Declare Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Adopted
- Reported to calendar for consideration
- Referred to finance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
Senate Resolution No. 2457 BY: Senator HANNON MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as Spina Bifida Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set… Show allHide
Senate Resolution No. 2457 BY: Senator HANNON MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as Spina Bifida 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 Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as Spina Bifida Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, Spina Bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings; and WHEREAS, Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs during the first month of pregnancy; and WHEREAS, Neural tube defects are costly and can result in lifelong disabilities and death; and WHEREAS, There are many New Yorkers living with Spina Bifida for whom health and support services are critical to their well-being and improving their quality of life; and WHEREAS, In New York State 2.06 babies out of 10,000 are affected with Spina Bifida; and WHEREAS, Children born with spina bifida have medical expenditures that are 13 times the average child without spina bifida; and WHEREAS, The average total lifetime cost to society for an infant born with spina bifida exceeds $1 million; and WHEREAS, Folic acid is the single most effective weapon against Spina Bifida; and WHEREAS, Studies have shown that taking folic acid decreases the risk for neural tube defects during pregnancy; and WHEREAS, It is estimated that 55% of all pregnancies in New York State are unplanned; folic acid education can help women of child-bearing age understand the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin to avoid these birth defects; and WHEREAS, Experts recommend that all women of child-bearing age in the United States who are capable of becoming pregnant should consume
micrograms of folic acid per day for the purpose of reducing their
risk of having a pregnancy affected with Spina Bifida; and
WHEREAS, Prevalence of Spina Bifida among children from birth to 11
years of age declined by 1.4% annually from 1991 to 2002 with a
consistent reduction each year due to folic acid fortification of the
food supply; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize this
month in the State of New York to raise awareness regarding the
challenges of living with Spina Bifida and steps that can be taken to
prevent Spina Bifida; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, 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
memorialize Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as Spina
Bifida 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 Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Spina Bifida Association of Northeastern New York.
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