National Diabetes Month, 2005

Proclamation 7953 of November 2, 2005

National Diabetes Month, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans of all ages and backgrounds live with
diabetes. Nearly 21 million of our citizens have this
disease, and researchers estimate that more than 6
million of these individuals have not been diagnosed
and are unaware they have it. National Diabetes Month
is an opportunity to educate citizens about diabetes
and what they can do to help prevent and treat this
disease.

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes,
destroys insulin-producing cells and usually strikes
children and teenagers. Nearly 95 percent of all
diabetics suffer from type 2 diabetes, a condition in
which the body fails to produce or to use insulin
properly. Type 2 diabetes typically occurs in inactive
or obese adults or individuals with a family history of
the disease and now increasingly appears in inactive or
overweight children. Because of a lack of insulin,
diabetics face potential blindness, nontraumatic
amputations, kidney disease, and increased risk of
heart disease and stroke.

Studies have shown that minor weight loss and daily
exercise can help prevent and reduce the effects of
diabetes. I encourage all Americans to follow the new
dietary guidelines released by the Department of Health
and Human Services earlier this year that emphasize the
importance of nutritious foods and regular physical
activity. In addition to taking steps toward a
healthier lifestyle, Americans should consult their
doctors for preventive screenings to detect diabetes in
its earliest stages. Under the Medicare Prescription
Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, these
screenings are now covered for Medicare beneficiaries.
These simple tests can save lives and help prevent this
potentially life-threatening illness.

My Administration remains committed to fighting
diabetes through research and prevention, and we will
continue to support the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and others in their efforts to combat this
disease. This year, the NIH dedicated more than $1
billion to diabetes research. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NIH are also
sponsoring the National Diabetes Education Program,
which has helped to inform more than 180 million
Americans in the last 3 years about healthy choices and
the risk factors of diabetes.

During National Diabetes Month and throughout the year,
we pay tribute to the doctors, nurses, scientists,
researchers, and all those dedicated to the fight
against diabetes. I urge the millions of Americans
living with this disease and all citizens to lead
healthy lives and to motivate others to do the same. By
working together to prevent this disease, we can
improve the quality of life for more Americans.

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 2005 as National
Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more
about the risk factors and symptoms associated with
diabetes and to observe this month with appropriate
programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B