Senate Resolution No. 3566

BY: Senator COMRIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
February 2018, as American Heart 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
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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2018, as
American Heart Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Wear Red Day; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association truly wants to help the
citizens of this great nation to live longer, healthier lives so they
can enjoy all of life's precious moments; American Heart Month, a
federally designated event, is a perfect way to remind Americans to
focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends
and communities involved; and

WHEREAS, On December 30, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson
proclaimed February of 1964 as the first American Heart Month; ever
since then, this important health issue has been recognized every
February; and

WHEREAS, Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and
women in the United States; fortunately, the disease can be prevented
when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, 220.8 per 100,000 deaths were attributed to
cardiovascular disease (CVD), someone died of CVD every 40 seconds, and
approximately 2,200 people died from CVD each day; and

WHEREAS, Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a
stroke; this is about 795,000 new or recurrent strokes each year; and

WHEREAS, Approximately every four minutes, someone dies of a stroke,
making stroke the cause of death for one of every 20 deaths in the
United States; and

WHEREAS, More than 65% of United States adults have two, three, or
four criteria at ideal cardiovascular health, with about 20% adults
within each of these categories; at any age, females tend to have more
metrics at ideal levels than do males, and Blacks and Hispanics tend to
have fewer metrics at ideal levels than whites or other races; and

WHEREAS, Based on 2011-2014 data, 85.7 million, or 34.0% of United
States adults are estimated to have hypertension, and 28.5 million, or
11.9% are estimated to have total serum cholesterol levels at about 240
mg/dL; and

WHEREAS, In addition, 23.4 million, or 9.1% of United States adults
are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes; and

WHEREAS, According to findings from 2015, one in six males and one
in seven females in the United States smoke, and on average, one in
three adults, or 30.4% do not engage in leisure time physical activity;
Hispanic and Non-Hispanic black adults were more likely to be inactive;
and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this health issue and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, state and national levels to promote screening and support
patients and their families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2018, as
American Heart 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.