Allen, Esty Introduce Resolution to Establish November 9th as “National Diabetes Heart Health Awareness Day”
Washington,
November 9, 2017
Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12) and Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) introduced H. Res. 610, a bipartisan resolution to establish November 9, 2017 as National Diabetes Heart Health Awareness Day. According to the resolution, the intent of the day is to “raise public awareness about the specific risks of heart disease for people with diabetes and help to ensure people at risk receive a timely diagnosis and proper treatment.” Close to 30 million Americans have diabetes, including an estimated 8 million Americans who have not been diagnosed. Over two-thirds of people age 65 or older with diabetes die from some form of heart disease. “Chances are you or someone you love lives with Type 2 diabetes or heart disease – or likely both,” Allen said. “Many Americans are aware of these diseases – but not the link between the two. If a person has Type 2 diabetes he or she is more than twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease and live 7-8 years less. That’s less time spent with family, less time at the job you love, less time investing in your church and hometown.” “That’s why I am proud to introduce legislation, H.Res.610, to support today, November 9, 2017, as ‘National Diabetes Heart Health Awareness Day’. 29 million Americans have diabetes, including more than 1 million in my home state of Georgia. Not only does the link between Type 2 diabetes and heart disease have a devastating personal toll; it’s an ever growing strain on our nation’s limited healthcare dollars. According to the American Diabetes Association, diagnosed diabetes cost $245 billion in 2012. 28 percent of those costs came from treating people with heart disease and diabetes. I strongly believe that raising awareness of the link between diabetes and heart health can save lives and taxpayers' hard earned dollars. Today my friend Rep. Elizabeth Esty joins me in taking a step towards better health. I am proud of our bipartisan legislation to keep Americans’ hearts strong and lives full.” “Almost one in every ten adults in Connecticut has been diagnosed with diabetes, and tens of thousands more likely have the disease, even though they don’t know it,” Esty said. “This issue is personal for me: like so many Americans, I’ve had family members affected by diabetes and heart conditions. The science is clear that having diabetes dramatically increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, which claims far too many lives in our state and throughout the country each year. That’s why it’s so important for policymakers to focus on the research and preventive medicine that will encourage healthy habits and save lives. “Better heart health will mean lower health care costs, which in turn will lead to better outcomes for everyone. In Connecticut, we spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on hospitalizations related to diabetes. I’m proud to join Congressman Allen to highlight the importance of controlling blood sugar for better heart health, a better healthcare system for our country, and most importantly, healthier lives for Americans.” ### |
