[Federal Register: November 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 216)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 65047-65048]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no04-112]                         



                        Presidential Documents 




[[Page 65047]]


                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 already 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.

[[Page 65048]]

                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.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 04-25166
Filed 11-8-04; 9:39 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P