Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) stood on the floor of the Assembly today, January 28, 2025, to introduce a resolution memorializing the month of January as Thyroid Disease Awareness Month. More than 20 million Americans are affected by Thyroid Disease, with some not even knowing that they have a problem. This resolution was passed to encourage people to educate themselves on Thyroid Disease through awareness, regular check-ups, and taking preventative measures to mitigate the risks.

DeStefano said, “In New York, the incidence rate for late-stage thyroid cancer is 5.7 cases per 100,000. This is higher than the national average of 4.1. Counties such as my own, Suffolk, report even higher rates. Because 60% of people with Thyroid Disease don’t even know they have a problem, public awareness is critical to minimizing its devastating effects. This is why I am sponsoring this resolution to designate January as Thyroid Awareness Month. If we can stop one New Yorker from the effects of Thyroid Disease, our efforts will well be worth it.”

Click here to watch Assemblyman DeStefano speak on the resolution.