LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 2015 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2015 as Celiac Disease Awareness
Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Celiac disease affects approximately one in every 133 people
in the United States, for a total of 3,000,000 people, including nearly
130,000 in New York State; the majority of people with celiac disease
have yet to be diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease in which
the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and
other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats; this
particular condition results in overall malnutrition; and
WHEREAS, Celiac disease is co-morbid with many autoimmune disorders,
including thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1
diabetes, liver disease, collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthri-
tis, and Sjogren's syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown; the intestines
contain projections (called villi) which absorb nutrients, and in undi-
agnosed or untreated cases, these villi become flattened, which affects
the ability to absorb nutrients properly; the disease can develop at any
point in life, from infancy to late adulthood; and
WHEREAS, For treatment, a lifelong gluten-free diet must be attained;
foods, beverages, and medications that contain wheat, barley, rye, and
possibly oats must be eliminated in order for the intestinal villi to
heal; and
WHEREAS, When untreated, celiac disease can cause life-threatening
complications; 97 percent of cases remain undiagnosed and the average
cost of an undiagnosed case is between $5,000 and $12,000 per person;
based on these estimates, undiagnosed celiac disease is conservatively
costing New York State residents more than $725 million annually in
unnecessary medical bills; and
WHEREAS, Delaying diagnosis or not following the diet puts one at risk
for related conditions such as: autoimmune disorders, certain types of
intestinal cancer, fractures, infertility, miscarriage, and osteoporo-
sis; and
WHEREAS, Through public awareness, this Legislative Body seeks to
minimize the devastating effects of celiac disease among all the citi-
zens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2015 as Celiac
Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, the Greater New York City Celiac Support Group, NYCeliac, the New
York Restaurant Association, the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia
University, Sherry Lynn's Gluten Free Restaurant, Wheatfield's Restau-
rant, the Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Disease Resource, Inc., and
the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.