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
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