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August recognized as Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month in New York
In June, the New York State legislature passed a resolution designating the month of August as Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month, according to a Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America press release.
“We applaud Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State legislature for recognizing August 2014 as Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Month,” Richard J. Geswell, president and CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, said in the release.
“Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis impact every aspect of the lives of those diagnosed with these debilitating digestive diseases. Although there are over a million people living with these diseases around the country, many people are unaware of what they are or how physically and emotionally devastating they can be. Awareness months are critical in helping to raise awareness and educate the public about these diseases.”
The month-long observation aims to spread awareness of the estimated 85,000 New Yorkers living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the 23% to 45% of patients with ulcerative colitis and up to 75% of patients with Crohn’s disease who will require surgery at some point in their lives. The incidence of pediatric IBD is increasing and the treatment costs incurred directly to patients in America is currently estimated at a figure of $1.84 billion, according to the press release.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has released a series of public service announcements for print, television and radio to raise awareness of the month-long observation.