K 102: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2025 as American Heart Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 102 BY: M. of A. McDonald MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2025 as American Heart 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 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 memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2025, as American Heart Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National American Heart Month; and WHEREAS, The American Heart Association truly wants to help the citizens of this great nation to live longer, healthier lives so they can enjoy all of life's precious moments; American Heart Month, a federally designated event, is a perfect way to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends and communities involved; and WHEREAS, Each year the American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung and Blood institute and other health-oriented organizations celebrate American Heart Month to raise awareness of the seriousness of heart disease and to promote healthy lifestyles; and WHEREAS, According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every four deaths is attributed to it, ahead of cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease; one person dies every 37 seconds from heart disease (also known as cardiovascular disease), and one in three American adults (85 million people) live with some form of heart disease; and WHEREAS, Research states that more than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year and only about 1 in 10 survive; more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States and almost 40 percent of these are sports related; and WHEREAS, While performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increases survival rates of cardiac arrests by two to three times, only 46% of people experiencing this health emergency receive this life-saving intervention practice while awaiting first-responders and emergency medical professionals; and WHEREAS, The American Heart Association and this Legislative Body call upon the citizenry of this State and Nation to respond to cardiac emergencies more effectively by calling 911 when someone is in need, learning how to properly perform CPR, and utilizing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) when available to drastically decrease the number of casualties related to cardiac arrest and heart disease; and WHEREAS, Heart disease cost the United States approximately $219 billion each year from 2014 to 2015; this includes the cost of health care services and medicines, and this figure is growing; and WHEREAS, Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease, with two in 10 deaths resulting from heart disease in people under 65 years old; and WHEREAS, In New York, heart disease incidence is highest in Chenango County, followed by Cattaraugus, Niagara, Orleans, Richmond, Montgomery, and Chautauqua counties; and WHEREAS, Heart disease is significantly influenced by one's environment, specifically by factors like maternal and child health, access to educational opportunities, availability of healthy foods, physical education, extracurricular activities in schools, and opportunities for physical activity, such as safe and walkable communities; and WHEREAS, In addition, it is vital to maintain quality working conditions and worksite health, as well as availability of community support and resources and access to affordable, quality health care; and WHEREAS, As reported by The National Institutes of Health, heart disease is particularly prevalent among the African American and Hispanic/Latino populations, with African Americans being 30% more likely to develop heart disease than non-Hispanic whites; risk is particularly high for African American women; and WHEREAS, Heart disease is preventable by targeting risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, and maintaining normal blood pressure; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this health issue and more must be done to increase activity at the local, state, and national levels to promote screening and support patients and their families; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2025, as American Heart 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 Kathy Hochul Governor of the State of New York.