Assembly Resolution No. 249

BY: M. of A. Walsh

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 2025, as Autoimmune Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
serious disorders by proclaiming official months to increase awareness
of such concerns, which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Autoimmune Awareness
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Autoimmune Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified the category of autoimmune
diseases includes more than 140 diseases that are chronic and in many
cases debilitating-with no known cures; and

WHEREAS, Autoimmune diseases can affect any part of the body,
including the blood, blood vessels, muscles, nervous system,
gastrointestinal tract, endocrine glands, and multiple-organ systems,
and can be life-threatening; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified a close genetic relationship
and a common pathway of disease that exists among autoimmune diseases,
explaining the clustering of autoimmune diseases in individuals and
families; and

WHEREAS, The family of autoimmune diseases is under-recognized, and
poses a major health care challenge to the United States; and

WHEREAS, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that
autoimmune diseases afflict up to 50,000,000 people in the United
States, 80 percent of the people affected are women, and the prevalence
of autoimmune diseases is rising; and

WHEREAS, NIH estimates the annual direct health care costs
associated with autoimmune diseases at more than $100,780,000,000 and
there are an estimated 250,000 new diagnoses each year; and

WHEREAS, Autoimmune diseases are among the top 10 leading causes of
death in women under 65; and

WHEREAS, Autoimmune diseases frequently affects children and young
adults, leading to a lifetime of disability; and

WHEREAS, Diagnostic tests for most autoimmune diseases are not
standardized, making autoimmune diseases very difficult to diagnose; and

WHEREAS, Because autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose,
treatment is often delayed, sometimes resulting in irreparable damage
and unnecessary suffering; early diagnosis and treatment is critical;
and

WHEREAS, The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
reported that the United States is behind other countries in research
into immune system self-recognition, the cause of autoimmune diseases;
and

WHEREAS, A study by the Autoimmune Association revealed that it
takes the average patient with an autoimmune disease more than 4.5
years, and costs more than $50,000, to get a correct diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, There is a significant need for more collaboration and
cross-fertilization of basic autoimmune research; and

WHEREAS, There is a significant need for research focusing on the
etiology of all autoimmune-related diseases, to increase understanding
of the root causes of these diseases rather treating the symptoms after
the disease has had its destructive effect; and

WHEREAS, The National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups is a
coalition of national organizations focused on autoimmune diseases
working to consolidate the voices of patients with autoimmune diseases
and to promote increased education, awareness, and research into all
aspects of autoimmune diseases through a collaborative approach; and

WHEREAS, Designating March as Autoimmune Awareness Month helps
educate the public about autoimmune diseases and the need for research
funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Autoimmune
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and members of the Autoimmune Association.