Res 0401-2024

Whereas, According to the National Disability Navigator and the National Blood Clot Alliance, blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms (PE) are alarmingly common, with over 900,000 and 300,000 individuals affected annually, respectively; and Whereas, DVT often forms in the legs, thighs, pelvis, or arms, and can lead to lifelong complications - if a blood clot travels to the lungs, it creates a PE, which can prevent blood flow resulting in death; and Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that as many as 100,000 individuals die annually from blood clots; and Whereas, Research from Becker's Hospital Review has shown that blood clots formed in 16 percent of COVID-19 patients in the New York City (NYC) healthcare system; and Whereas, Blood clots impact women at a higher rate due to estrogen levels caused by oral birth control and hormone therapies; and Whereas, Despite their prevalence, there remains a widespread lack of awareness and education about their potential severity and the measures individuals can take to prevent them; and Whereas, Blood clot awareness is essential for addressing maternal healthcare disparities, and promoting health equity for vulnerable and underrepresented racial demographics in NYC that are disproportionately affected by systemic barriers to healthcare access and unequal health policy issues; and Whereas, Systemic racial barriers increase the risk of untreated blood clots and underscore the importance of targeted outreach and education initiatives to ensure equitable access and prevention efforts across all of New York City's communities; and Whereas, Declaring March as Blood Clot Awareness Month in NYC is an important step towards informing New Yorkers about blood clot-related health risks, which may include the potential for severe illness, disability, and death; and Whereas, By educating New Yorkers about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with blood clots, lives can be saved through early detection and prevention; now therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares the month of March as Blood Clot Awareness Month in the City of New York. KJD LS #16116 3/21/2024 3:37 PM 2