HLS 11RS-2371 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 156
BY REPRESENTATIVES ANDERS, BISHOP, ELLINGTON, PUGH, PATRICIA SMITH,
AND STIAES
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes November 9, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral
Neuropathy (DPN) Awareness Day in La.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To recognize November 9, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Awareness Day2
in Louisiana.3
WHEREAS, in the United States an estimated twenty-three million six hundred4
thousand people, or eight percent of the total population, are affected by diabetes; and5
WHEREAS, diabetes is a serious illness which is all too common and costly in this6
state; and7
WHEREAS, according to the 2007 Louisiana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance8
System, nearly three hundred thirty thousand adults in this state have been diagnosed with9
diabetes, and statewide diabetes prevalence in adults increased from five and two-tenths10
percent in 1997 to ten and one-tenth percent in 2007; and11
WHEREAS, the American Diabetes Association estimates that approximately sixty12
percent of people with diabetes will have some form of nerve damage such as diabetic13
peripheral neuropathy (DPN); and14
WHEREAS, DPN is a condition that causes damage to nerve fibers through15
prolonged exposure to high amounts of glucose in the bloodstream; and16
WHEREAS, DPN may cause burning, throbbing, or painful tingling in the feet or17
hands and can have a debilitating impact on the quality of life and the capacity for self-care18
among people living with diabetes; and19 HLS 11RS-2371 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 156
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WHEREAS, DPN can occur whether a person has Type I diabetes, also known as1
juvenile diabetes, or Type II diabetes, which is typically adult-onset; and2
WHEREAS, DPN accounts for more diabetes-related hospitalizations than any other3
complication; and4
WHEREAS, diabetic nerve pain may make it difficult for persons to maintain their5
overall health as such pain inhibits its sufferers' ability to remain physically active, which6
is a critical component of diabetes management; and7
WHEREAS, reduced physical activity may contribute to worsening glycemic control8
and make sufferers more likely to develop additional health problems, including more nerve9
damage; and10
WHEREAS, according to the American Diabetes Association, patients with diabetes11
should be screened for DPN at diagnosis and at least annually thereafter; and12
WHEREAS, it is important that people with diabetes be aware of the dangers and13
warning signs of DPN and make healthy lifestyle choices to potentially delay the onset or14
slow down the progression of this life-changing condition; and15
WHEREAS, an increase in community awareness of risk factors and symptoms16
related to diabetes can improve the likelihood that people with diabetes will get the care they17
need before suffering devastating complications; and18
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this state to recognize effective public health19
initiatives such as the diabetes management programs that are essential to diabetic patients20
for self-care.21
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby22
recognize November 9, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Awareness Day in23
this state, and does hereby encourage all Louisianans to support organizations which24
endeavor to find a cure for this condition.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted26
to the American Diabetes Association.27 HLS 11RS-2371 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 156
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Anders HCR No. 156
Recognizes Nov. 9, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Awareness Day in La.