Bronx Asthma Study Legislation Headed To Governor Cuomo's Desk For Signature

The New York State Senate passed Senator José M. Serrano's bill S1165, which mandates the New York State Department of Health to conduct an intensive study on the alarmingly high asthma rates in the Bronx and to use the findings to create a comprehensive remedial plan.

The legislation addresses the severe problem of asthma in the Bronx by ordering a study be conducted by some of the best public health professionals in New York State. Serrano's legislation demands that key components of the Bronx's asthma epidemic be scrutinized. These major points include an analysis of high-risk neighborhoods examining disparities in income, race and ethnicity, public and private housing, proximity to major sources of air pollution, and an evaluation of the effectiveness  of  existing  medical facilities. The study and remedial plan must be completed one year from being signed into law.
 
"Health disparities, especially asthma, have disproportionally affected vulnerable communities throughout the Bronx. My hope is that this legislation will give us a better understanding of the causes and possible remedies for this chronic problem. My sincere thanks to Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda for his leadership on this critical issue."
 
Asthma affects more than one million people in the state of New York at a rate of 1 out of every 11 people, which is one of the highest statewide rates in the country. For every ten thousand residents in the Bronx, 247  have had asthma-related emergency room incidents - nearly three times the statewide average. Approximately twenty percent of the children in the Bronx suffer from asthma and the Bronx County rate of asthma is approximately four to five times greater than the national average. Assembly Member
 
This year marks the first time that the bill has also passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly, where it was sponsored by Assemblymember Luis R. Sepulveda. The bill will now be forwarded to the Desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign into law.