A HOUSE RESOLUTION recognizing diabetes alert day in North carolina.
Whereas, diabetes is a chronic condition in which the level of glucose in the blood is too high; and
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects 25.8 million people in the United States; and
Whereas, seven million people in the United States are unaware that they have diabetes; and
Whereas, in 2008, the North Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control Branch estimated that over 1.1 million people in the State were pre‑diabetic, diabetic, or undiagnosed as pre‑diabetic or diabetic; and
Whereas, in North Carolina, one in five adults, aged 65 and over, has diabetes or is at high risk of developing diabetes; and
Whereas, in 2009, the North Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control Branch reported that diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death for North Carolinians; and
Whereas, a person with diabetes may develop severe health problems and complications, including kidney disease, blindness, heart disease, stroke, amputation, and nervous system disease or neuropathy; and
Whereas, one type of diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy causes severe and intense pain that sufferers frequently describe as tingling, shooting, burning, or "pins and needles"; and
Whereas, sixty‑four percent of diabetic nerve pain sufferers report that their pain interferes with the daily activities that matter to them, and eighty percent of diabetic nerve pain patients report problems with mobility; and
Whereas, diabetic nerve pain can make it difficult to stay physically active and exercise, a critical component of diabetes management, which may contribute to worsening glycemic control and make sufferers more likely to develop additional health problems; and
Whereas, in 2010, diabetes cost the State over $10.2 billion and, if current trends continue, diabetes may cost the State over $12.7 billion by 2015; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives joins the nation in recognizing March 22, 2011, as Diabetes Alert Day and encourages the citizens of this State to have their blood sugar checked and to have their health care providers assess their plan to treat or avoid diabetes.
SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.