Gum Disease Awareness Month

WHEREAS, Gum Disease Awareness Month is an annual health promotion event directed at helping people make lifelong improvements in their health and quality of life by sharing information and spreading awareness with a key message of encouragement to take an active role in preventing gum disease with simple tools and habit changes; and

WHEREAS, mounting university research indicates gum disease is a possible precursor to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers and even stillbirths; and

WHEREAS, 74 to 85 percent of Americans suffer some degree of gum disease, but less than half are aware of it; building awareness can improve community health and prevent serious health consequences; and

WHEREAS, the state of Alabama is committed to providing reliable oral health information including how to prevent and treat gum disease because protecting and promoting the oral health, and in turn, the overall health, of the people in this community is in the best interest of the individual people and the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that a month should be set aside each year for the direction of our thoughts toward the health and well-being of our community, empowering a healthier community to be happier and more productive and to devote more resources and energy to positive contributions to Alabama; and

WHEREAS, in the interest of public health, Alabama considers it a priority to educate its citizenry about the advanced treatment options that can help them address the symptoms of moderate to severe gum disease and the dangerous consequences of leaving it untreated; and

WHEREAS, Gum Disease Awareness Month supports community health by disseminating important information and the tips and tools to empower citizens to make powerful improvements to their health and the health of their families:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2013 as

Gum Disease Awareness Month

in the state of Alabama.