Senate Resolution No. 2457

BY: Senator HANNON

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim
October 2017, as Spina Bifida 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
illnesses 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 Andrew Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as Spina
Bifida Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Spina Bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete
development of the spinal cord or its coverings; and

WHEREAS, Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs during the
first month of pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, Neural tube defects are costly and can result in lifelong
disabilities and death; and

WHEREAS, There are many New Yorkers living with Spina Bifida for
whom health and support services are critical to their well-being and
improving their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, In New York State 2.06 babies out of 10,000 are affected
with Spina Bifida; and

WHEREAS, Children born with spina bifida have medical expenditures
that are 13 times the average child without spina bifida; and

WHEREAS, The average total lifetime cost to society for an infant
born with spina bifida exceeds $1 million; and

WHEREAS, Folic acid is the single most effective weapon against
Spina Bifida; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that taking folic acid decreases the
risk for neural tube defects during pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that 55% of all pregnancies in New York
State are unplanned; folic acid education can help women of
child-bearing age understand the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin
to avoid these birth defects; and

WHEREAS, Experts recommend that all women of child-bearing age in
the United States who are capable of becoming pregnant should consume
400 micrograms of folic acid per day for the purpose of reducing their
risk of having a pregnancy affected with Spina Bifida; and

WHEREAS, Prevalence of Spina Bifida among children from birth to 11
years of age declined by 1.4% annually from 1991 to 2002 with a
consistent reduction each year due to folic acid fortification of the
food supply; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize this
month in the State of New York to raise awareness regarding the
challenges of living with Spina Bifida and steps that can be taken to
prevent Spina Bifida; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, 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 Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as Spina
Bifida 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 Andrew Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Spina Bifida Association of Northeastern New York.