Assembly Resolution No. 1303

BY: M. of A. Zinerman

RECOGNIZING May 2026, as Myositis Awareness Month
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
bring awareness to serious health conditions that impact residents of
the State of New York, particularly those that are rare, underdiagnosed,
and require increased public understanding and research; and

WHEREAS, Residents of the State of New York are among those affected
by myositis and other rare diseases, and nearly one in ten Americans are
living with a rare disease; and

WHEREAS, Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (collectively referred
to as myositis) are rare, chronic, autoimmune muscle wasting diseases;
myositis often features debilitating muscle inflammation and other
symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and trouble swallowing; myositis can
result in myositis-associated interstitial lung disease; and

WHEREAS, More research is needed to identify the causes and modes of
treatments for the myositis group of diseases, which includes anti-MDA5
autoantibody positive myositis, antisynthetase syndrome,
dermatomyositis, juvenile dermatomyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing
myopathy, inclusion body myositis, and polymyositis; and

WHEREAS, Myositis is difficult to diagnose, often resulting in
delayed treatment, and individuals generally experience difficulty
finding a health care provider with expertise regarding their condition;
and

WHEREAS, All who suffer with myositis experience reduced quality of
life, especially as no cure has been found and life expectancy is
shortened, especially for those with inclusion body myositis; women and
people of color with all forms of myositis experience particularly
pronounced health disparities; and

WHEREAS, The Myositis Association (TMA) is the leading international
patient advocacy organization serving the myositis community, focusing
on patient services, education, research, and public awareness to
achieve a world without myositis; and

WHEREAS, The Myositis Association is organizing a nationwide
observance of May 2026, as Myositis Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, All residents of New York are encouraged to come together,
learn more about all the forms of myositis and its symptoms, and support
the families in our community who will benefit from greater awareness of
these rare diseases; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize May 2026, as Myositis Awareness Month in the State of New
York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Myositis Association.