Senate Resolution No. 2875

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
February 2020, 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 2020, as
American Heart Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National American Heart Month; 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, Each year the American Heart Association, the National
Heart, Lung and Blood institute and other health-oriented organizations
celebrate American Heart Month to raise awareness of the seriousness of
heart disease and to promote healthy lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, This year, American Heart Month has four themed weeks,
which are: being physically active together, eating healthier together,
tracking your health statistics together, and managing stress, sleeping
better, and quitting smoking together; and

WHEREAS, According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States;
one in every four deaths is attributed to it, ahead of cancer, diabetes
and Alzheimer's disease; one person dies every 37 seconds from heart
disease (also known as cardiovascular disease), and one in three
American adults (85 million people) live with some form of heart
disease; and

WHEREAS, Heart disease cost the United States approximately $219
billion each year from 2014 to 2015; this includes the cost of health
care services and medicines, and this figure is growing; and

WHEREAS, Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart
disease, with two in 10 deaths resulting from heart disease in people
under 65 years old; and

WHEREAS, In New York, heart disease incidence is highest in Chenango
County, followed by Cattaraugus, Niagara, Orleans, Richmond, Montgomery,
and Chautauqua counties; and

WHEREAS, Heart disease is significantly influenced by one's
environment, specifically by factors like maternal and child health,

access to educational opportunities, availability of healthy foods,
physical education, extracurricular activities in schools, and
opportunities for physical activity, such as safe and walkable
communities; and

WHEREAS, In addition, it is vital to maintain quality working
conditions and worksite health, as well as availability of community
support and resources and access to affordable, quality health care; and

WHEREAS, As reported by The National Institutes of Health, heart
disease is particularly prevalent among the African American and
Hispanic/Latino populations, with African Americans being 30% more
likely to develop heart disease than non-Hispanic whites; risk is
particularly high for African American women; and

WHEREAS, Heart disease is preventable by targeting risk factors such
as smoking, high cholesterol levels, and maintaining normal blood
pressure; 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 2020, 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.