Declare Syphilis Awareness Week

Senate Resolution No. 2553 BY: Senator RIVERA MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 21-27, 2020, as Syphilis Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious diseases 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 April 21-27, 2020, as Syphilis Awareness Week in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause serious health problems if not treated; and WHEREAS, Syphilis is treatable with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider; and WHEREAS, Syphilis symptoms can be mild and painless, so many of those infected may not be aware; and WHEREAS, Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), and at any stage, can cause neurological damage for the person infected; and WHEREAS, In the United States, rates of syphilis infection has increased by 74 percent between 2012 and 2016; and WHEREAS, One new case of syphilis occurs approximately every 20 minutes; and WHEREAS, Pregnant women with syphilis can pass along the infection to their unborn baby, and there has been an 87 percent increase in cases of congenital syphilis between 2012 and 2016; and WHEREAS, Having syphilis while pregnant can lead to a low birth weight baby or other serious complications , and two of every five infants born with congenital syphilis are stillborn or die prematurely; and WHEREAS, The LGBT community can be particularly at-risk for contracting syphilis, with 58 percent of syphilis cases occurring in men who engage in intercourse with other men; and WHEREAS, Men are seven times as likely to contract syphilis than women; and WHEREAS, African Americans are five times as likely to contract syphilis than any other race or ethnicity; and WHEREAS, The rates of syphilis amongst people ages 65 years and older have more than doubled between 2012 and 2016; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious disease, 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 M. Cuomo to proclaim April 21-27, 2020, as Syphilis Awareness Week 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.