[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2382-E2383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of American Diabetes Month.
  In order to combat this deadly disease, we must focus on prevention, 
education and diet. Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the 
nation.
  In California, there are about 2 million people with this disease. In 
my home county of San Bernardino over 100,000 have been diagnosed.
  While this disease affects people of all walks-of-life, Hispanics are 
particularly vulnerable. Hispanics are almost two times as likely to 
develop Diabetes as non-Hispanic Whites. Twenty-four percent of 
Mexican-Americans in the United States currently have diabetes. Almost 
two million Hispanics struggle with the disease.
  I don't have diabetes but my parents, my brother and my brother-in-
law did. My father died of diabetes along with my brother. They didn't 
take care of it. We had a large family and could not afford health 
care.
  Growing up, we ate what we could afford and too much of our diet 
contained foods like tortillas and frijoles that cause health problems 
and can eventually lead to diabetes. There was no health education or 
awareness. They didn't know how to take care of their diabetes. When 
they were diagnosed with diabetes they ignored it and it cost them 
their lives.
  Fortunately, this disease can often be prevented.
  We must educate our children and communities about the dangers of 
this disease. That is why American Diabetes Month is so important. We 
need to teach children prevention. The lifestyles they adopt today will 
carry over into their adult years. We are placing children at risk when 
we allow them to come home day after day, play videogames, sit in front 
of the TV and snack on soda and chips. Children eat what their parents 
eat and can afford. Eating a diet of high sugary foods--like tortillas, 
rice, and chips--at every meal is teaching our children unhealthy 
habits.

[[Page E2383]]

  To help educate our children and our communities I participated in an 
educational video with Edward James Olmos and Liz Torres. This video, 
which comes in English and Spanish, helps educate Hispanics and all 
Americans about the disease. Additionally, with the help of Congressman 
Putnam and Cardoza, we recently introduced legislation that would allow 
schools across the country to serve fresh fruits and vegetables in 
school lunch programs. This will help children afford to eat healthy 
and stay healthy.
  I have been active in leading the charge to restore food stamp 
benefits to hard working immigrants, so that their children may have 
access to the healthier foods that help prevent diabetes.
  But it is not enough to just educate people. We also must make sure 
that preventative screening and medical services are affordable and 
available to all Americans.
  One of the biggest problems in early prevention is financial. People 
do not have the resources to seek medical help so the problems 
escalate. In California, the cost of diabetes per person per year is 
approximately $13,243. If they have additional problems, like dialysis, 
syringes, medications, or other items, the cost goes up an additional 
$8,500. Now the cost is over $22,000.
  The healthcare costs of a person with diabetes are about 2\1/2\ times 
higher than the average person's healthcare costs. How can an uninsured 
person in this country afford $22,000 when some don't even make that 
much in a year?
  To help those that can't afford to take care of their diabetes, I 
have co-sponsored the Diabetes Prevention, Access and Care Act and the 
Access to Diabetes Screening Services Act. These bills will increase 
access to diabetes screening, treatment and prevention in minority 
communities and all communities that are affected by Diabetes.
  In the spirit of American Diabetes Month, we must not only look to 
legislation to help those that suffer from diabetes but we must educate 
our communities. We must take a personal interest. We must become 
involved on a personal level.
  American Diabetes Month is a great opportunity to educate all 
Americans on how to help prevent diabetes.

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