Senate Resolution No. 1943
BY: Senator ORTT
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2026, as Preeclampsia Awareness Month in the
State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious health conditions 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 hereby memorializes
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026, as Preeclampsia Awareness
Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia, is a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy (HDP)
most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that when
left untreated can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and
death of the mother and/or baby; and
WHEREAS, 60 percent of hypertension-related maternal deaths,
including preeclampsia, are potentially preventable, with missed
opportunities for appropriate, recommended care of severe maternal
hypertension; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in
women whose blood pressure had previously been in the standard range;
and
WHEREAS, Early delivery of the baby is recommended, depending on the
severity of the preeclampsia and how many weeks pregnant the mother is;
and
WHEREAS, Before delivery, preeclampsia treatment includes careful
monitoring and medications to lower blood pressure and manage
complications; and
WHEREAS, The only cure for preeclampsia is to give birth, yet even
after delivery symptoms can last six weeks or more; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia may also develop after delivery of a baby, a
condition known as postpartum preeclampsia; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 76,000 women and 500,000 babies die each year
worldwide, with preeclampsia as a leading cause of maternal and infant
illness and death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The United States currently ranks 47th worldwide for
maternal mortality, being the only industrialized nation with a rising
maternal mortality rate; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia occurs throughout the world with no obvious
racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia Awareness Month increases the public's
awareness of preeclampsia and acknowledges the terrible impact this
disease has not only on mothers but on their families as well; 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026, as Preeclampsia
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.
