Senate Resolution No. 365

BY: Senator RIVERA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
January 2021, as Birth Defects Prevention 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
health 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 January 2021, as Birth
Defects Prevention Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Birth Defects Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, Birth defects are structural or functional anomalies
present at the birth of a child, which can affect one or more parts of
the body; and

WHEREAS, Birth defects can be detected before birth, at birth, or
any time after the birth of a child, but are most commonly found within
the first year of life; most defects generate within the first 3 months
of pregnancy as the baby begins to form organs; and

WHEREAS, About half of all pregnancies are unplanned, contributing
to late entry into prenatal care and presenting a barrier to optimal
pregnancy management, particularly during the crucial first weeks of a
baby's development; and

WHEREAS, Early identification of a child with a birth defect coupled
with early intervention services typically improves the child's quality
of life and may even save his or her life; and

WHEREAS, These defects can affect how the body works, develops,
looks, or all three and can range from mild to severe defects; and

WHEREAS, While some birth defects have clear causes and known
methods of prevention, such as fetal alcohol syndrome and spina bifida,
a mix of genetic or environmental factors causes most other birth
defects; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, it is not fully understood how these factors
work together to cause birth defects and they are difficult to prevent;
and

WHEREAS, Every four and a half minutes, a baby in the United States
is born with a birth defect; birth defects are a leading cause of death
in the first year of life, causing one in every five infant deaths; and

WHEREAS, These conditions lead to more than $2.6 billion per year in
hospital costs alone in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, over 7,000 infants are born each year
with at least one birth defect; birth defects in New York account for
about 379 infant deaths every year; and

WHEREAS, Birth defects can occur in any family regardless of race,
ethnicity, health history, economic status, or level of education; and

WHEREAS, The National Birth Defects Prevention Network and CDC
encourage parents-to-be to reduce the chance of developing an infection
during pregnancy by observing the following guidelines: get vaccinated,
prevent insect bites, and practice good hygiene; and

WHEREAS, The good health and well-being of the people of the State
of New York are enhanced by the support of a national effort to educate
about preconception health and strategies to prevent birth defects; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2021, as Birth
Defects Prevention 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.