Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2026, as Juvenile Arthritis Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1512

BY: M. of A. Rules (Ra)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        July 2026, as Juvenile Arthritis 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 residents 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 July 2026, as Juvenile
Arthritis Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term that refers  to
pediatric  rheumatic  diseases,  including juvenile idiopathic arthritis
and  other  musculoskeletal  conditions  which  can  occur  in  children
16-years-old  and  younger;  JA  affects  nearly 300,000 children in the
United States, some as young as a few months old; and

  WHEREAS, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most  common  type  of
arthritis  in  children;  there  are  several different subtypes of JIA:
oligoarticular JIA, polyarticular JIA, systemic JIA,  enthesitis-related
JIA, juvenile psoriatic arthritis and undifferentiated JIA; and

  WHEREAS,  Although the various types of JA and JIA share many common
symptoms, such as pain, joint swelling, and  redness  and  warmth,  each
type  of  JA  is distinct and has its own special concerns and symptoms;
some types of JA affect the musculoskeletal system; JA can also  involve
the eyes, skin, muscles and gastrointestinal tract; and

  WHEREAS,  Moreover,  juvenile  arthritis  and related conditions are
often compounded by other illnesses, such as  uveitis  (inflammation  of
the  eye), skin ailments, and other comorbidities that affect the heart,
lungs and other vital organs; and

  WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis can also have a  profound  effect  on  a
child's  mental  and emotional well-being; it was found that 65% of kids
with arthritis have moderate to severe depressive symptoms according  to
research conducted by the Arthritis Foundation; and

  WHEREAS,  Arthritis  and  other  rheumatic  conditions (collectively
known as AORC) in youth have accounted for an average of 50 deaths  each
year in the United States between 1979 and 1998; and

  WHEREAS,  The  treatments  used for JA focus on improving quality of
life for young people; in some cases, pain medication is  the  solution,
but  in  other  cases anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are used; doctors
may also prescribe DMARDs, a family of drugs that are designed  to  slow
the progression of the juvenile arthritis; and

  WHEREAS, Arthritis is a much too common problem that can prevent one
from  living the life they desire; however, physicians can help patients
with arthritis achieve a higher quality of life by devising an effective

strategy for combating the issue, restoring normalcy and comfort  to  an
individual's life; and

  WHEREAS,  Through  public  awareness, this Legislative Body seeks to
minimize the devastating effects of JA among the  young  people  of  the
State of New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to  declare  July  2026,  as  Juvenile
Arthritis  Month  in the State of New York, and to urge the residents of
this great Empire State to learn about the causes,  symptoms,  diagnoses
and treatments; 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.