K 417: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Juvenile Arthritis Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 417 BY: M. of A. Ra MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Juvenile Arthritis 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 residents 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 July 2025, as Juvenile Arthritis Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term that refers to pediatric rheumatic diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions which can occur in children 16-years-old and younger; JA affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States, some as young as a few months old; and WHEREAS, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in children; there are several different subtypes of JIA: oligoarticular JIA, polyarticular JIA, systemic JIA, enthesitis-related JIA, juvenile psoriatic arthritis and undifferentiated JIA; and WHEREAS, Although the various types of JA and JIA share many common symptoms, such as pain, joint swelling, and redness and warmth, each type of JA is distinct and has its own special concerns and symptoms; some types of JA affect the musculoskeletal system; JA can also involve the eyes, skin, muscles and gastrointestinal tract; and WHEREAS, Moreover, juvenile arthritis and related conditions are often compounded by other illnesses, such as uveitis (inflammation of the eye), skin ailments, and other comorbidities that affect the heart, lungs and other vital organs; and WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis can also have a profound effect on a child's mental and emotional well-being; it was found that 65% of kids with arthritis have moderate to severe depressive symptoms according to research conducted by the Arthritis Foundation; and WHEREAS, Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (collectively known as AORC) in youth have accounted for an average of 50 deaths each year in the United States between 1979 and 1998; and WHEREAS, The treatments used for JA focus on improving quality of life for young people; in some cases, pain medication is the solution, but in other cases anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are used; doctors may also prescribe DMARDs, a family of drugs that are designed to slow the progression of the juvenile arthritis; and WHEREAS, Arthritis is a much too common problem that can prevent one from living the life they desire; however, physicians can help patients with arthritis achieve a higher quality of life by devising an effective strategy for combating the issue, restoring normalcy and comfort to an individual's life; and WHEREAS, Through public awareness, this Legislative Body seeks to minimize the devastating effects of JA among the young people of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to declare July 2025, as Juvenile Arthritis Month in the State of New York, and to urge the residents of this great Empire State to learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnoses and treatments; 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.