LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 19, 2014, as Hepatitis Testing Day in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National Hepatitis Testing
Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious public health
issues that affect the lives of the residents of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is moved to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2014, as Hepatitis Testing
Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Hepatitis Testing Day; and
WHEREAS, May 19, 2014, marks the third National Hepatitis Testing Day,
a day for people at risk to be tested, and for health care providers to
educate patients about chronic viral hepatitis and testing; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver usually caused by a
virus, is a hidden epidemic with significant public health consequences;
an estimated 3.5-5.3 million persons are living with viral hepatitis in
the United States, and millions more are at risk for infection; and
WHEREAS, Because hepatitis can persist for decades without symptoms,
65-75 percent of infected Americans remain unaware of their infection
status and are not receiving care and treatment; and
WHEREAS, There are five types of hepatitis; the most common are Hepa-
titis B and Hepatitis C; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C can progress to a "chronic" or lifelong
infection, which can cause serious health problems including liver
damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C are both spread by coming into contact with
the blood of an infected person, even in microscopic amounts; in addi-
tion, Hepatitis B may be spread through contact with other bodily fluids
from an infected person, and an infected mother may pass it to her baby
at birth; and
WHEREAS, Individuals at higher risk for Hepatitis B include those
born, or whose mother was born, in a region of the world where the
disease is common, meaning two percent or more of the population is
chronically infected; in most Asian and Pacific Island nations, 8 to 16
percent of the population is chronically infected; and
WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islanders make up five percent of the
United States' population but account for over 50 percent of Americans
living with Hepatitis B; one in 12 Asian Americans has Hepatitis B, and
two out of three of those infected are unaware of their status; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control recommends all people born in
Asia and the Pacific Islands get tested for Hepatitis B; and
WHEREAS, People born from 1945 through 1965 are five times more likely
to be infected with Hepatitis C than other adults, and nearly three out
of four individuals with Hepatitis C were born during that time; because
of this staggering statistic, the Centers for Disease Control recommends
all people born from 1945-1965 get tested for Hepatitis C; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver
transplants; and
WHEREAS, In New York City, approximately 146,500 residents may have
chronic Hepatitis C; the disease is most prevalent in New York City
neighborhoods with high rates of poverty; and
WHEREAS, Early detection of viral hepatitis saves lives, but testing
for this disease is not part of routine blood work done during a phys-

ical; all New Yorkers should talk with their doctors about getting test-
ed; and
WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as National Hepatitis Testing
Day are observed in order to continue to raise awareness and halt the
spread of hepatitis; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2014, as Hepa-
titis Testing Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Hepatitis Testing Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.