2007 Assembly Joint Resolution 75
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: recognition of November as Diabetes Awareness Month.
Whereas, November has been established nationally as Diabetes Awareness Month by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, and others; and
Whereas, diabetes is a chronic disease for which there is currently no known cure, and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States; and
Whereas, individuals with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce any of their own insulin or amylin, hormones needed to help regulate sugar and food stores in the body; and
Whereas, individuals with Type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes cannot produce enough of their own insulin or amylin, and often do not exhibit symptoms in the early stages of the disease; and
Whereas, the serious long-term complications of high blood sugar levels may include blindness, lower-extremity amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, and premature death; and
Whereas, Wisconsin and the U.S. are facing a diabetes epidemic, with most recent statistics indicating over 300,000 children and adults in Wisconsin are currently living with the disease; and
Whereas, the keys to reducing the incidence of Type 2, and the complications
associated with all forms of, diabetes are education, early detection, control, proper treatment, and continued research; and
Whereas, the earlier a person is diagnosed with diabetes and receives treatment, the better the person's chances are for avoiding diabetes complications; and
Whereas, the first line of treatment recommended by all treatment standards is diet and exercise — a healthy diet and the loss of excess weight can have a positive impact on the body's ability to fight off disease; and
Whereas, it has been shown that modest weight loss may help to lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and improve the level of fats in the bloodstream, which is beneficial to the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases; and
Whereas, in recent years there has been an alarming increase in the number of younger people being diagnosed with diabetes attributable to lifestyle and excessive body mass; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature formally recognizes November as Diabetes Awareness Month in Wisconsin; and, be it further
Resolved, That the legislature formally recognizes the work and success of the Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (WDPCP) in educating citizens and health providers alike about diabetes and the latest diagnosis, treatment, and control guidelines; and, be it further
Resolved, That the legislature recognizes the importance of continuing to fund the WDPCP sufficiently to carry forth its mission for Wisconsin; and, be it further
Resolved, That to reduce the rate of diabetes and its complications among high-risk populations, individuals are encouraged to seek early screening and early treatment while healthcare providers are encouraged to continue improving care for the control of diabetes and the treatment of major complications; and, be it further
Resolved, That healthcare providers are encouraged to adopt and follow generally recognized clinical guidelines outlined by the WDPCP, including recommendations and standards that identify the reduction of body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular risk issues, and glycemic control as key factors to managing diabetes; and, be it further
Resolved, That healthcare providers are encouraged, as they detect and treat the emerging diabetes epidemic, to engage in an aggressive program with their patients, including dietary counseling and exercise, measurements of body weight, and other associated risk factors; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to the secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services, and to the WDPCP Program Director.
