Assembly Resolution No. 2135

BY: M. of A. Cunningham

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2024, as Jaundice Awareness 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
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 May 2024, as Jaundice
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Globally, jaundice affects almost half of full-term
newborns and 80 percent of pre-term newborns; in the United States,
three out of five babies are born with jaundice, resulting in many
families having to seek treatment for their children; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, it is imperative for parents to
understand how to detect the early warning signs of jaundice, which
could potentially spiral into a more serious condition for their child;
and

WHEREAS, A common condition, particularly in babies born before 38
weeks' gestation and some breast-fed babies, jaundice is the yellow
discoloration of a newborn baby and young children's skin and eyes; it
occurs because the baby's blood contains an excess of bilirubin, a
yellow pigment of red blood cells, and the baby's liver is not mature
enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream; and

WHEREAS, The main sign of jaundice in infants is the yellowing of
the skin and the whites of the eyes; this symptom usually appears
between the second and fourth day after birth; and

WHEREAS, To check for infant jaundice, press gently on your baby's
forehead or nose, if the skin looks yellow where you pressed, it is
likely your baby has mild jaundice; examine your baby in good lighting
conditions, preferably in natural daylight; and

WHEREAS, The good health and well-being of the people of the State
of New York are enhanced by the support of a statewide effort to educate
parents and citizens about detecting the early warning signs of
jaundice, to prevent life-threatening conditions that affect young
children and infants; 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 May 2024, as Jaundice
Awareness 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.