[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           DIABETES RESEARCH

                                 ______


                            HON. DON JOHNSON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 1994

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my 
colleagues to support continued funding for diabetes research. Diabetes 
affects more than 13 million people in the United States, but the 
frightening thing is that more than half of those people are unaware 
that they have diabetes. Too often, they learn that they have the 
disease only when one of its symptoms--blindness, kidney disease, or 
heart disease--surfaces.
  I speak from experience. My grandfather was diabetic; my father was 
diabetic; and I am diabetic. I live every day with the awareness that I 
must balance my diet, exercise, and medication to avoid the 
complications of diabetes.
  Research into the treatment and potential cure for diabetes is an 
investment against future costs. Each year, diabetes costs this country 
over $90 billion in health-care expenses and the loss of productivity. 
Diabetics account for 5.8 percent of the total personal health-care 
expenditures in the United States while accounting for only 2.2 percent 
of the population.
  Since 1987, the percentage of personal health-care expenditures for 
diabetes has more than doubled. The total economic cost of diabetes has 
quadrupled. Diabetes is more than a threat to the health of Americans--
it is a threat to the economic health of this country. Vital research 
into the cure for this disease is being done, thanks to Federal 
funding. I urge my colleagues to support the continuation of this 
funding.

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