07 LC 96
2679
House
Resolution 757
By:
Representatives Jackson of the
161st,
Gordon of the
162nd,
and Carter of the
159th
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Georgia Department of Community Health to increase efforts to address
diabetes in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
diabetes is a chronic disease for which there is currently no known cure and is
the sixth leading cause of death in the United States; and
WHEREAS,
the serious long-term complications of high blood sugar levels may include
blindness, lower-extremity amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, and
premature death; and
WHEREAS,
in recent years, the number of individuals diagnosed with diabetes has increased
41 percent, and nine out of ten individuals who are newly diagnosed with adult
on-set diabetes also suffer from obesity; and
WHEREAS,
America is facing a diabetes epidemic: an estimated 20.8 million Americans are
living with the disease nationwide, and in Georgia, an estimated 616,000 adult
residents are currently living with the disease; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia's diabetes prevalence rate is 8.3 percent, while the national prevalence
rate is only 7 percent; and
WHEREAS,
education, early detection, and proper treatment are the keys to reducing the
incidence of diabetes and the health complications associated with diabetes;
and
WHEREAS,
it has been shown that modest weight loss may help to lower blood sugar, blood
pressure, and improve the level of fats in the bloodstream, which is beneficial
to the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases; and
WHEREAS,
traditionally, those considered at high risk were typically older citizens, but
in recent years there has been an alarming increase in the number of younger
people who are being diagnosed with diabetes due to poor lifestyle choices and
excessive body mass.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the Georgia
Department of Community Health is hereby:
1.
Urged to encourage individuals to seek early screening and early
treatment;
2.
Urged to encourage healthcare providers to improve care for the control of
diabetes and the treatment of major complications;
3.
Urged to adopt generally recognized clinical practice guidelines such as the
standards of the American Diabetes Association that identify the reduction of
body mass index, cardiovascular risk issues, and glycemic control as key factors
to managing diabetes; and
4.
Urged to engage in an aggressive prevention and treatment program of diabetes
with Medicaid patients and those in the State Health Insurance Program,
including dietary counseling and exercise, measurements of body weight, and
other associated risk factors.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia
Department of Community Health.