[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 2, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 76487-76489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26658]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 212 / Wednesday, November 2, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 76487]]


                Proclamation 9532 of October 28, 2016

                
National Diabetes Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than 29 million Americans have diabetes--a disease 
                in which the glucose levels in one's blood are higher 
                than normal. Although the rate of new cases is falling, 
                the numbers are still alarming. Diabetes is one of the 
                leading causes of death in the United States and 
                results in staggering health and financial costs for 
                Americans. With a concentrated effort to reduce the 
                number of new diagnoses and improve treatment and care 
                for those living with this disease, we must continue 
                making progress in the battle against this epidemic. 
                Each year during National Diabetes Month, we resolve to 
                support everyone battling this chronic disease, and we 
                recommit to fighting it so that more Americans can lead 
                a healthy life.

                Diabetes can affect individuals of any age, gender, or 
                background depending on risk factors, which can include 
                a combination of genetics and lifestyle. Type 1 
                diabetes, often diagnosed in youth, affects people 
                whose bodies do not produce enough insulin, a hormone 
                needed to live. Type 2 diabetes occurs in people who 
                are not able to produce enough insulin to meet their 
                body's needs, and typically develops in adults--
                however, more young people today are being diagnosed 
                with type 2 diabetes than ever before, and it is more 
                commonly diagnosed among those who are obese or 
                inactive. Both types can lead to health problems such 
                as heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. 
                Additionally, roughly one-third of American adults have 
                prediabetes--a condition in which their blood sugar 
                levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to 
                be diagnosed with diabetes--placing them at higher risk 
                for other health conditions or for developing type 2 
                diabetes. Another form of diabetes, known as 
                gestational diabetes, can develop in pregnant women, 
                create complications during pregnancy, and increase 
                chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life for 
                both mothers and their children.

                Type 1 diabetes accounts for a smaller proportion of 
                diagnosed cases of diabetes; over 90 percent of all 
                diagnosed cases are type 2 diabetes. Individuals with 
                type 1 diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar 
                levels and take insulin every day to survive. Diabetes 
                has no cure, but people with type 2 diabetes can manage 
                their disease by following a healthy meal plan, 
                increasing physical activity, taking prescribed 
                medications, and quitting smoking if applicable. For 
                individuals with prediabetes or overweight individuals 
                at higher risk of diabetes, losing weight through 
                healthy eating and regular physical activity can help 
                prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Americans with any 
                type of diabetes should get regular checkups and work 
                with health care professionals to learn more about this 
                disease. Individuals at higher risk--particularly those 
                who are overweight, older than 45, or have a family 
                history of type 2 diabetes--should talk to their health 
                care providers about their diabetes risk. African 
                Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Asian 
                Americans, and Pacific Islanders are also at higher 
                risk of developing type 2 diabetes. I encourage all 
                Americans to visit www.NDEP.NIH.gov to find resources 
                available through the National Diabetes Education 
                Program to help make and sustain healthy lifestyle and 
                behavior changes.

[[Page 76488]]

                Over the last 8 years, my Administration has worked to 
                provide better care, prevention, and treatment for 
                anyone suffering from diabetes. The Affordable Care Act 
                (ACA) has required that insurers cover preventive 
                services such as certain diabetes screenings without 
                copays or deductibles, and seniors can now receive 
                these screenings free of charge as well. Insurance 
                companies can no longer deny individuals coverage 
                because of a pre-existing condition, including a family 
                history of diabetes, and children can now stay on a 
                parent's health insurance plan until age 26. By 
                supporting the Diabetes Prevention Program--the first 
                preventive service model eligible for expansion under 
                Medicare--the ACA has improved the quality of care, 
                reduced health care costs, and helped prevent the onset 
                of diabetes.

                Nearly one in three American children is overweight or 
                obese, causing a rise in the prevalence of type 2 
                diabetes among children. Unless we act, approximately 
                one-third of all children born since the turn of the 
                century will suffer from diabetes during their 
                lifetimes. The First Lady's Let's Move! initiative has 
                worked to reverse this childhood obesity trend and put 
                children on a path to a healthy future during their 
                earliest years by fostering environments that support 
                healthy choices; promoting physical activity; providing 
                healthier foods in our schools; and ensuring families 
                have access to nutritious, affordable foods and the 
                information they need to make healthy choices. We have 
                also harnessed the American spirit of innovation 
                through our Precision Medicine Initiative: By tailoring 
                treatments to individuals based on personalized 
                information such as genetics, we can move closer to 
                curing diseases like diabetes and give more Americans 
                the opportunity to live full, healthy lives.

                Every year, too many Americans experience the 
                consequences of diabetes--but in part because of the 
                dedication of our Nation's health care providers, 
                researchers, and advocates, we have made important 
                strides in combating this disease, and we have reason 
                to hope this progress will continue. This month, let us 
                work to show every individual living with diabetes that 
                they are not alone, and let us continue strengthening 
                our investment in the fight against this disease.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 2016 as 
                National Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans, 
                school systems, government agencies, nonprofit 
                organizations, health care providers, research 
                institutions, and other interested groups to join in 
                activities that raise diabetes awareness and help 
                prevent, treat, and manage the disease.

[[Page 76489]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-26658
Filed 11-1-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P