[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7841 of November 4, 2004


 
National Diabetes Month, 2004


By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
More than 18 million Americans are estimated to have diabetes. Diabetes
is the leading cause of new blindness, end-stage kidney disease, and
nontraumatic amputations. It can also double a person's risk of heart
attack and stroke and can cause nervous system damage and premature
death. During National Diabetes Month, we seek to raise awareness of the
impact of diabetes on our citizens, and we recognize those committed to
improving the treatment and prevention of this chronic disease.
Approximately one million Americans have been diagnosed with type 1
diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes. It develops from autoimmune,
genetic, and environmental influences, most often striking children,
adolescents, and young adults. By developing the disease so young,
people with type 1 diabetes have a greater risk for serious
complications. Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 17 million
Americans, and is most common in people over 40 who are overweight,
inactive, or have a family history of this disease. While people of all
backgrounds are affected, type 2 diabetes disproportionately strikes
African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native
Americans. The number of Americans with type 2 diabetes has grown
dramatically, and many more Americans are at high risk for developing
it.
My Administration is committed to funding diabetes research. This year,
the National Institutes of Health dedicated $993 million for diabetes
research, and I have requested more that $1 billion for 2005, a 49
percent increase since 2001.
We are also working to raise awareness of the risk factors associated
with diabetes. According to clinical research, people at risk for type 2
diabetes can reduce their risk by approximately 58 percent if they lose
a modest amount of weight and stay physically active. Those who al

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ready live with diabetes can greatly reduce their risk for heart disease
and stroke by controlling their blood sugar, blood pressure, and
cholesterol.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2004 as National
Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with
appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

PROCLAMATION 7842--NOV. 4, 2004