Assembly Resolution No. 934
BY: M. of A. McDonald
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
February 2026 as American Heart 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
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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as American
Heart Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National American Heart Month; and
WHEREAS, The American Heart Association truly wants to help the
citizens of this great nation to live longer, healthier lives so they
can enjoy all of life's precious moments; American Heart Month, a
federally designated event, is a perfect way to remind Americans to
focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends
and communities involved; and
WHEREAS, Each year the American Heart Association, the National
Heart, Lung and Blood institute and other health-oriented organizations
celebrate American Heart Month to raise awareness of the seriousness of
heart disease and to promote healthy lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States;
one in every four deaths is attributed to it, ahead of cancer, diabetes,
and Alzheimer's disease; one person dies every 37 seconds from heart
disease (also known as cardiovascular disease), and one in three
American adults (85 million people) live with some form of heart
disease; and
WHEREAS, Research states that more than 350,000 people experience
cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year and only about 1 in 10
survive; more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience
cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States and
almost 40 percent of these are sports related; and
WHEREAS, While performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
increases survival rates of cardiac arrests by two to three times, only
46% of people experiencing this health emergency receive this
life-saving intervention practice while awaiting first-responders and
emergency medical professionals; and
WHEREAS, The American Heart Association and this Legislative Body
call upon the citizenry of this State and Nation to respond to cardiac
emergencies more effectively by calling 911 when someone is in need,
learning how to properly perform CPR, and utilizing automated external
defibrillators (AEDs) when available to drastically decrease the number
of casualties related to cardiac arrest and heart disease; and
WHEREAS, Heart disease cost the United States approximately $219
billion each year from 2014 to 2015; this includes the cost of health
care services and medicines, and this figure is growing; and
WHEREAS, Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart
disease, with two in 10 deaths resulting from heart disease in people
under 65 years old; and
WHEREAS, In New York, heart disease incidence is highest in Chenango
County, followed by Cattaraugus, Niagara, Orleans, Richmond, Montgomery,
and Chautauqua counties; and
WHEREAS, Heart disease is significantly influenced by one's
environment, specifically by factors like maternal and child health,
access to educational opportunities, availability of healthy foods,
physical education, extracurricular activities in schools, and
opportunities for physical activity, such as safe and walkable
communities; and
WHEREAS, In addition, it is vital to maintain quality working
conditions and worksite health, as well as availability of community
support and resources and access to affordable, quality health care; and
WHEREAS, As reported by The National Institutes of Health, heart
disease is particularly prevalent among the African American and
Hispanic/Latino populations, with African Americans being 30% more
likely to develop heart disease than non-Hispanic whites; risk is
particularly high for African American women; and
WHEREAS, Heart disease is preventable by targeting risk factors such
as smoking, high cholesterol levels, and maintaining normal blood
pressure; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this health issue and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, state, and national levels to promote screening and support
patients and their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as American
Heart 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.
