Senate Resolution No. 263

BY: Senator RIVERA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
October 2019, as Spina Bifida Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months dedicated to raising awareness of serious illnesses
impacting 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 2019, 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, which occurs when the spine of the baby fails
to close and a lesion on the spinal column is created, is the most
common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States; an
average of eight babies every day are born with spina bifida or a
similar defect of the brain and spine; and

WHEREAS, Spina bifida happens during the first month of pregnancy
when the spinal column and brain, or neural tube, is formed; the
openings, or lesions, in the spinal column end up causing damage in the
spinal column and result in some degree of paralysis; 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, Children born with spina bifida have medical expenditures
that are 13 times greater than those of the average child without spina
bifida; adults with spina bifida have average medical expenditures that
are three to six times greater than those of adults without spina
bifida; and

WHEREAS, The average total lifetime cost to society for many infants
born with spina bifida may well exceed one million dollars; and

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

WHEREAS, Approximately 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, The 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 Spina
Bifida Awareness Month in the State of New York to raise awareness
regarding the challenges of living with spina bifida and the steps that
can be taken to prevent spina bifida; it is the hope that this month of
awareness will also remind all New Yorkers that people with spina bifida
are not defined by their condition, they are people with careers,
families, and children, just like so many people without spina bifida;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew Cuomo to proclaim October 2019, 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.