Assembly Resolution No. 516

BY: M. of A. Paulin

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2025, as Asthma and Allergy Awareness 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Asthma and
Allergy Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
(AAFA) declares May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month since
it is peak season for those suffering from asthma and allergies; and

WHEREAS, Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is a perfect time to
educate people about these common diseases; and

WHEREAS, There is no cure for asthma and allergies, and many deaths
are preventable with proper treatment and care; 10 people a day die from
asthma; and

WHEREAS, About 4,900,000 children in the United States currently
have asthma; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 28 million people in the United States have asthma
and the numbers are increasing each year; and

WHEREAS, Over 1,819,528 adults and children in the State of New York
have asthma; and

WHEREAS, Asthma is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases
among children; and

WHEREAS, 1,500,000 individuals per year visit emergency departments
because of asthma's effects; and

WHEREAS, Asthma is a leading cause of hospitalizations and school
absences due to a chronic disease among children; and

WHEREAS, The total economic cost of asthma in the United States was
$81,900,000,000 per year from 2008 to 2013; and

WHEREAS, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous individuals in the United
States face the highest burden of asthma; and

WHEREAS, Asthma is a manageable disease that claimed the lives of
over 3,500 people in the United States in 2021, including 248 people in
New York; and

WHEREAS, People with asthma and food allergies need access to
affordable health insurance and to the medications and devices they need
at affordable prices; and

WHEREAS, 20,300,000 people in the United States have food allergies,
including about 4,300,000 children; and

WHEREAS, Food allergy has increased among U.S. children over the
past 20 years, with the greatest increase in Black children; further,
children with food allergies are two to four times more likely to have
asthma or other allergic diseases; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, supports the increase in public awareness regarding asthma
and allergies; it is important to help educate all citizens of the State
of New York of the serious and potentially life-threatening nature of
asthma and allergies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Asthma and
Allergy 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 Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.