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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 156
BY REPRESENTATIVES ANDERS, BISHOP, ELLINGTON, PUGH, PATRI CIA SMITH,
AND STIAES
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To recognize November 9, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Awareness Day
in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, in the United States an estimated twenty-three million six hundred
thousand people, or eight percent of the total population, are affected by diabetes; and
WHEREAS, diabetes is a serious illness which is all too common and costly in this
state; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2007 Louisiana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System, nearly three hundred thirty thousand adults in this state have been diagnosed with
diabetes, and statewide diabetes prevalence in adults increased from five and two-tenths
percent in 1997 to ten and one-tenth percent in 2007; and
WHEREAS, the American Diabetes Association estimates that approximately sixty
percent of people with diabetes will have some form of nerve damage such as diabetic
peripheral neuropathy (DPN); and
WHEREAS, DPN is a condition that causes damage to nerve fibers through
prolonged exposure to high amounts of glucose in the bloodstream; and
WHEREAS, DPN may cause burning, throbbing, or painful tingling in the feet or
hands and can have a debilitating impact on the quality of life and the capacity for self-care
among people living with diabetes; and
WHEREAS, DPN can occur whether a person has Type I diabetes, also known as
juvenile diabetes, or Type II diabetes, which is typically adult-onset; and
WHEREAS, DPN accounts for more diabetes-related hospitalizations than any other
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WHEREAS, diabetic nerve pain may make it difficult for persons to maintain their
overall health as such pain inhibits its sufferers' ability to remain physically active, which
is a critical component of diabetes management; and
WHEREAS, reduced physical activity may contribute to worsening glycemic control
and make sufferers more likely to develop additional health problems, including more nerve
damage; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Diabetes Association, patients with diabetes
should be screened for DPN at diagnosis and at least annually thereafter; and
WHEREAS, it is important that people with diabetes be aware of the dangers and
warning signs of DPN and make healthy lifestyle choices to potentially delay the onset or
slow down the progression of this life-changing condition; and
WHEREAS, an increase in community awareness of risk factors and symptoms
related to diabetes can improve the likelihood that people with diabetes will get the care they
need before suffering devastating complications; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this state to recognize effective public health
initiatives such as the diabetes management programs that are essential to diabetic patients
for self-care.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize November 9, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Awareness Day in
this state, and does hereby encourage all Louisianans to support organizations which
endeavor to find a cure for this condition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the American Diabetes Association.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE