File #: Res 0394-2002    Version: * Name: Perform more research involving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Women's Issues
On agenda: 7/24/2002
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the medical community to perform more research involving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and to be more aggressive in finding alternative therapies to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, and urging all women to demand that such actions begin immediately.
Sponsors: Tracy L. Boyland, Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., Tony Avella, Maria Baez, Charles Barron, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Lewis A. Fidler, Helen D. Foster, Alan J. Gerson, Robert Jackson, Melinda R. Katz, Margarita Lopez, Michael E. McMahon, Michael C. Nelson, Bill Perkins, Madeline T. Provenzano, Christine C. Quinn, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., Helen Sears, David I. Weprin, Gale A. Brewer, Andrew J. Lanza
Council Member Sponsors: 24
Res. No. 394 Title Resolution calling upon the medical community to perform more research involving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and to be more aggressive in finding alternative therapies to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, and urging all women to demand that such actions begin immediately. Body By Council Members Boyland, Addabbo, Avella, Baez, Barron, Comrie, Fidler, Foster, Gerson, Jackson, Katz, Lopez, McMahon, Nelson, Perkins, Provenzano, Quinn, Recchia, Rivera, Sanders, Sears, Weprin, Brewer, Golden and Lanza Whereas, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been prescribed to millions of American women confronting menopause and its physical effects; and Whereas, For years, this therapy was touted as not only relatively harmless, but beneficial to women's overall health; and Whereas, A recent study by the Women's Health Initiative observed more than 16,000 women who were receiving HRT for nearly five years; and Whereas, This study showed conclusively that HRT raised the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer in women receiving this therapy; and Whereas, Because of these findings, the study was halted immediately and women have been advised to reevaluate their HRT treatment with their physicians; and Whereas, In the course of medical treatment, such risks are unacceptable; and Whereas, Since HRT is no longer generally advisable for treatment for menopause symptoms, and since many women endure severe discomfort as a result of menopause, the medical community must do all it can to conduct research to develop effective alternative therapies as soon as possible; and Whereas, In light of recent findings, all women must take a more active role in advocating for research and choices in treatments affecting women's health issues; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the medical community to perform more research involving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and to be more aggressive in finding alternative therapies to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, and urges all women to demand that such actions begin immediately. LS#880 JP 7/18/02 ?? - 2 -