LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim July 2016 as Fibroid Awareness Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has an interest in fostering the health
and well-being of its citizens and engaging in a conscientious commit-
ment to advancing women's health; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2016 as Fibroid Awareness
Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Uterine fibroids, clinically known as uterine leiomyoma, are
the most common benign tumors in the uterus and the single most common
indication for hysterectomy; and
WHEREAS, African American women experience uterine fibroids at a rate
of three to five times that of the general population, a higher rate
than any other ethnic group; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, obstetric outcomes that were attributed
to fibroid tumors resulted in a cost of $238 million to $7.76 billion
annually; uterine fibroid tumors were estimated to cost the United
States $5.9-34.4 billion annually, and over $5 billion is spent annually
on the medical expense of hysterectomy procedures, and 1.6 to 17.2
billion estimated annual lost work costs in terms of absenteeism and
short term disability in women ages 25 to 54; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of health seminars, funding opportunities,
medical information panels, and community programs would empower and
inform residents of this State about uterine fibroids and would encour-
age earlier diagnosis, more research, better treatment options, and
eventually a cure for uterine fibroids; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2016 as Fibroid
Awareness Month in the State of New York, fully confident that this
recognition will emanate the journey to fostering appropriate measures
to battle this disadvantageous disease; 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.