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Washington, DC – Tenth District Congressman Donald M. Payne introduced H. Con. Res. 211 to support World Diabetes Day. The resolution aims to champion and recognize the goals of this important global health awareness campaign.
The World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day, celebrated annually on November 14, in 1991 with the aim of coordinating diabetes advocacy worldwide. On December 20 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a landmark resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease.
In almost every country of the world, the incidence of diabetes is on the rise. Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of global death by disease; it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. We can no longer ignore the climbing incidence of this disease. Instead, let us draw attention to prevention, the best tool, and access to treatment. Encouraging exercise and a healthy diet alone can make measurable progress difference in preventing obesity, often a precursor to Type II diabetes.
“I am especially pleased that the 2007 Campaign’s theme focuses on raising awareness of diabetes in children and adolescents, who face unique challenges when diagnosed with diabetes,” Payne said. “The campaign aims, among other objectives, to firmly establish the message that “no child should die of diabetes.”
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