Senate Resolution No. 1741
BY: Senator RIVERA
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2026 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 2026 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; 9-11 people die from
asthma per day; and
WHEREAS, About 4,750,000 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 1,887,622 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, About 1,000,000 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, which is approximately
$115,000,000,000 when adjusted for inflation; 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 3,100 people in the United States in 2023, including 254 people in
New York; and
WHEREAS, People with asthma and food allergies need access to
affordable health insurance and the medications and devices they need at
affordable prices; and
WHEREAS, 21,800,000 people in the United States have food allergies,
including about 3,900,000 children; and
WHEREAS, Food allergies have increased among children in the United
States 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 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 2026 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.
