Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026, as Preeclampsia Awareness Month in the State of New York

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.