A Joint Resolution designating May 17 of each year as “Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease that can affect medically fragile infants, which causes inflammation, infection, and systemic tissue damage; and
Whereas, Despite limited public understanding for the condition, NEC affects one in 1,000 premature infants and is the third most common form of death in hospitalized infants; and
Whereas, NEC affects two to five percent of all premature infants but is responsible for up to 20 percent of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit costs; and
Whereas, Symptoms and risk factors may be as innocuous as low birthweight, poor blood circulation, low blood oxygenation level, difficulty nursing, and the stress of the birthing process; and
Whereas, The condition produces an increased risk of later functional impairment including cerebral palsy, limited gross motor skills, cardiac issues, malnutrition, and developmental delays; and
Whereas, NEC limits healthy neural development, resulting in poor executive function and decreased working memory capacity over time; and
Whereas, The combination of immediate healthcare costs and long term individual costs results in approximately $5.8 billion in hospital expenses each year; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, approximately five in every 100,000 infants die due to NEC each year; and
Whereas, Supports and interventions exist to reduce the social and financial burdens of the disease; and
Whereas, Public education, regular neurodevelopmental screenings, nursing support, and use of probiotics may prevent a condition that erodes young families throughout the State, nation, and world; and
Whereas, May 17 has been designated as World NEC Awareness Day by the NEC Society and other states; and
Whereas, Based on the foregoing, it is in public interest to increase awareness for this condition and its social determinants in order to reduce its prevalence within New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.36:2-482 Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day in New Jersey, May 17.
1. May 17 of each year is designated as “Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day” in New Jersey.
C.36:2-483 Annual proclamation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing May 17 as “Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day” in New Jersey, and to call upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
Approved May 9, 2025.