Proclaim TD Awareness Week

Assembly Resolution No. 680 BY: M. of A. McDonald MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 3-9, 2020, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase awareness of serious health conditions 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 May 3-9, 2020, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a condition of involuntary muscle movements of the face, trunk, and extremities that can vary in frequency and amplitude; and WHEREAS, TD is a condition that may occur with certain medications used to treat mental illness; and WHEREAS, TD results from treatment with dopamine receptor blocking agents used for both psychiatric and non-psychiatric conditions, and can persist even after discontinuing treatment; and WHEREAS, Research done by The Citizens Commission on Human Rights shows that more than 12 million Americans take antipsychotics and that more than 500,000 of those patients may have TD; and WHEREAS, Anyone taking an antipsychotic medication may develop TD, but people who are elderly, female, diabetic, or have a mental illness are at a greater risk of developing TD; 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 M. Cuomo to proclaim May 3-9, 2020, as Tardive Dyskinesia 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.