LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 2-8, 2016, as Naturopathic Medicine Week in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2-8, 2016, as Naturopathic Medicine
Week in the State of New York, to recognize the value of naturopathic
medicine in providing safe, effective, and affordable health care; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, more than 75 percent of health care
costs are due to preventable chronic illnesses; in New York State more
than 40 percent of adults suffer from a chronic disease, and of the
chronic illnesses, heart disease and cancer account for over half of all
deaths; and
WHEREAS, The percentage of New York State adults who are overweight or
obese increased from 42% in 1997 to 61.3% in 2013, so that consequently
such people are at risk for serious health conditions, such as high
blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and
depression; and
WHEREAS, 70 percent of people in the United States experience physical
or nonphysical symptoms of stress, and stress can contribute to the
development of major illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease,
depression, and diabetes; and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned chronic health conditions are among the
most common, costly, and preventable health conditions; and
WHEREAS, Aspects of naturopathic medicine have been shown to lower the
risk of major illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes; and
WHEREAS, Awareness of naturopathic medicine is increasing nationwide
with professional licensure offered by 17 states, including the neigh-
boring states of Vermont and Connecticut with the largest populations of
licensed naturopathic doctors being in California, Washington State, and
Oregon; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine is a profession recognized by the
federal government with accrediting agencies approved by the Department
of Education for naturopathic doctors to attend 4-year graduate-level
accredited doctoral programs; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine, as being pursued in New York State, is
the facilitation of optimum health and wellness using naturopathic
assessment, common office procedures, physical naturopathy, approved
substances, and noninvasive naturopathic therapies in a holistic frame-
work informed by naturopathic principles and a therapeutic order; and
WHEREAS, While optimum health is facilitated for patients anywhere
along an entire spectrum of health, including for acute and chronic
illness, naturopathic medicine is particularly adapted for prevention of
chronic illness, and early intervention in the treatment of chronic
illness; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors administer patient-centered care to
facilitate establishment of a health regimen, to stimulate self-healing
processes, to improve function of weakened or damaged systems and
organs, to correct structural integrity, and to address pathology; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors are trained to collaborate with other
naturopathic doctors, physicians, and health care providers and to refer
patients to members of the allied health professions to serve the inter-
ests of the patient; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors evaluate a patient's circumstances of
health and illness, including by investigating the patient's health,
history, life style, determinants of health, and genetic and environ-

mental susceptibility to illness, and by comprehensive physical examina-
tion; and
WHEREAS, The profession of naturopathic medicine is dedicated to
providing health care to various patient populations, including under-
served populations; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic doctors can help address the shortage of primary
care providers in the United States and New York; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathic medicine has the potential to provide consumers
in New York State with more choice in health care, and offer alterna-
tive, complementary, and integrative care services in the various
patient care venues of New York State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2-8, 2016, as Natu-
ropathic Medicine Week in the State of New York, to recognize the value
of naturopathic medicine in providing safe, effective, and affordable
health care, and to encourage the people of New York to learn about
naturopathic medicine and the role that naturopathic doctors play in
preventing chronic illness and facilitating optimum health and wellness;
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.