[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
November as National Diabetes Awareness Month.
  An estimated 18.2 million people in the U.S., or 6.3 percent of the 
population have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), while an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed 
with diabetes, 5.2 million do not even realize they are diabetics. The 
American Diabetes Association estimates the economic cost of diabetes 
in the U.S. in 2002 was $132 billion, or one out of every 10 health 
care dollars spent.
  Diabetes is the number one disease-related cause of death in Los 
Angeles County. In California, more than 1.4 million California adults 
and 12,000 adolescents have been diagnosed with diabetes. Among adults 
ages 50-64, diabetes prevalence was significantly higher among African 
Americans (20.5 percent) and Latinos (17.9 percent) than whites (8.3 
percent). Additionally, 176,000 adolescents not diagnosed with diabetes 
were at risk because they did not participate in regular physical 
activity and were overweight or at risk for being overweight.
  I have been active in the efforts to combat diabetes because I know 
the burdens it imposes on people and their families. I am a cosponsor 
of the Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act (H.R. 1916) which 
directs the National Institutes of Health to support research with 
respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes, particularly type II diabetes. 
This important legislation will help all Americans by providing much-
needed diabetes prevention and outreach.
  Although diabetes is an epidemic that is widespread, complicated, and 
severe, it can be controlled. Taking small steps like healthy diets and 
physical activity can lead to big rewards. Diabetes is a disease that 
permeates our communities, families, and friendships and we must do all 
that we can to stop the spread of this deadly disease.

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