Res. No. 1960

Resolution declaring the first Tuesday in May as World Asthma Day in New York City.

By Council Members Eugene, Avella, Barron, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Liu, Nelson, Sanders Jr.,  Sears, Weprin and White Jr.

Whereas, According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and may cause wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and breathlessness; and

                     Whereas, Every year, approximately 504,000 Americans are hospitalized for asthma-related symptoms; and

Whereas, In 2004 asthma contributed towards 13.6 million doctor visits, 1.1 million hospital outpatient visits and 1.8 million emergency department visits; and

Whereas, It is estimated that asthma affects 22 million people throughout the United States, including 6.5 million children; and

                     Whereas, Asthma is one of the most common long-term diseases in children and accounts for approximately 14.7 million missed school days; and

                     Whereas, This disease disproportionately affects minorities, low-income populations and children living in inner cities; and

Whereas, Asthma can be controlled by adhering to a medical management plan and by avoiding contact with certain environmental triggers, including dust, mold, smoke, insects, and other chemicals; and

Whereas, According to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), approximately one million New Yorkers have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lifetime; and

Whereas, DOHMH recommends that patients and providers partner to create a treatment plan, and that providers follow the recently updated National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines to promote self-management including education and the joint development of treatment goals; and

Whereas, DOHMH administers multiple programs to combat asthma including the New York City Asthma Initiative which is working to improve medical standards to treat asthma patients, reduce triggers in homes and communities, enhance individuals’ ability to self-manage their condition, enhance citywide education, create asthma friendly schools and day care centers and monitor individuals with asthma; and

Whereas, Due to the impact of asthma throughout the City and the country, many advocacy groups both nationally and internationally have emerged to reduce the negative impact of this disease; and

Whereas, The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) began in 1993, in collaboration with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the United States National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization, to partner with health care officials and professionals throughout the world to reduce asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality; and

Whereas, Notably, GINA commemorates World Asthma Day, a day to raise awareness and advocate for ways in which asthma can be better treated and managed; and  

Whereas, 2009 marks the 11^th year anniversary for World Asthma Day and this year’s theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma,” with a special emphasis on controlling child asthma; and

                     Whereas, Given the prevalence and impact of asthma, specifically on children, New York City should increase all public and private efforts to expand education to ensure that more individuals have an asthma management plan and to reduce the factors that trigger or contribute to asthma; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares the first Tuesday in May as World Asthma Day in New York City.

JM

LS# 7358

April 30, 2009