National Diabetes Month

WHEREAS, approximately 26 million people in the United States have diabetes; and

WHEREAS, at least 79 million people in the United States have what is referred to as “pre-diabetes” and within two to six years, 25 million of these people with pre-diabetes are estimated to become diabetic; and

WHEREAS, approximately 473,000 adults in Alabama have diabetes; and

WHEREAS, because few Alabamians engage in sufficient physical activity or have diets that include the proper amount of fruits and vegetables, Alabama is near the top on all national overweight and obesity rankings, making its citizens very susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes; and

WHEREAS, diabetes contributes to high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, lower extremity amputations, depression, and other complications; and

WHEREAS, much of the health and economic burden of diabetes can be averted through preventive health methods; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Public Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and advocates throughout the state are committed to seeing all citizens achieve total wellness, maintain healthy glycemic levels, and reduce the preventable and economic burden of diabetes:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 2011, as

National Diabetes Month

in the State of the Alabama.

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 31st day of October 2011.

                                                                                 Governor Robert Bentley