Senate Resolution No. 253

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
November 2, 2023, as Vitamin D Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious health
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 November 2, 2023, as
Vitamin D Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Vitamin D Day; and

WHEREAS, People around the world are losing their battle against
vitamin D deficiency and more and more are becoming vitamin D deficient;
and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than one billion people
throughout the world have low vitamin D levels; this occurs because we
are living, working, and spending more time indoors than ever before;
and

WHEREAS, We are now told to apply sunscreens every day, year round,
which if applied properly prevents vitamin D production; with up to 90%
of our vitamin D coming from sunlight, without unprotected sun exposure
our bodies cannot make vitamin D naturally; and

WHEREAS, World Vitamin D Day, now in its 13th year, is celebrated
annually on November 2nd as part of Vitamin D Awareness Month to warn
the public of vitamin D deficiency and to increase the public's ability
to take action and increase their vitamin D intake; and

WHEREAS, A new World Vitamin D Day website has been developed to
help inform people on the importance of maintaining optimal vitamin D
blood levels of between 40-60 ng/ml; and

WHEREAS, Vitamin D helps reduce your risk of cancers, autoimmune
diseases and heart problems, and strengthens your bones and muscles,
helping you live longer; according to Dr. William B. Grant, maintaining
optimal vitamin D blood levels may increase your life expectancy by two
years; and

WHEREAS, Research has found that optimal vitamin D levels reduces
your risk of many major diseases; it controls the switches that guide
cellular life in your body and tells your genes and DNA what to do; and

WHEREAS, To stop vitamin D deficiency, adults will need a vitamin D
intake of approximately 4,000 IU or 100 mcg a day; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, to increase your vitamin D intake through the
winter when sunshine is diminished and the UV index is below three,
consider using indoor sources such as UVB emitting sunbeds or sunlamps

as a surrogate for summer sunshine; you can also add more fatty fish to
your diet or take a daily D3 supplement; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health issue, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2, 2023, as
Vitamin D Day 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.