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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 12, 2022 01:49 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Scott Martin |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Recognizing November 14, 2022 as "World Diabetes Day" in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, I will be reintroducing a resolution to recognize November 14, 2022 as “World Diabetes Day” in Pennsylvania. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the body’s ability to turn food into energy. Insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to fluctuations of sugar in our bloodstream. With diabetes, one’s body either does not make enough insulin or their cells stop responding to insulin. The result of this being that too much blood sugar stays in their bloodstream. Not only does heightened blood sugar affect those with diabetes in the immediate, over time it can also lead to conditions including but not limited to heart disease, loss of vision and/or kidney disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. More than 37 million U.S. adults have some form of diabetes and it is projected that approximately 20% are unaware of having it. Per the most recent data available, it is projected that 96 million U.S. adults (or more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes. Roughly 80% also do not know that they have it. Those with it have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not quite at type 2 levels. It is seen as a precursor to type 2 unless lifestyle changes are made. “World Diabetes Day” was first celebrated in 1991 and was recognized by organizations such as the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in order to help raise awareness of the growing rate of diabetes in the world. Since then, “World Diabetes Day” has become an officially observed by the United Nations as this chronic disease has become more prevalent worldwide. As of 2017, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the United States and contributed to 3,652 deaths in Pennsylvania in 2019 according to the PA Department of Health. Although there is no known cure for diabetes, the risk of being diagnosed can be reduced through a healthy diet, physical activity, and the use of prescribed medication. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution and help to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to help mitigate this disease. |
Introduced as SR380