SR-187, As Adopted by Senate, November 3, 2010

            Senator Jacobs offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 187.

            A resolution declaring November 2010 as Diabetes Awareness and Blood Glucose Control Month in Michigan.

            Whereas, Diabetes is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and accidents (unintentional injuries); and

            Whereas, The American Diabetes Association estimates that 23.6 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes. In Michigan, the Department of Community Health estimates that over 927,000 Michigan residents have diabetes, and more than 2 million have pre-diabetes; and

            Whereas, Recognizing that the at-risk patient population is a significant concern, there is an equal concern for people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes and are not reaching their hemoglobin A1c blood glucose target levels--a blood test that measures blood sugar control over a three-month period; and

            Whereas, Not gaining control of blood glucose levels and not achieving target hemoglobin A1c levels put patients at risk for serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, and kidney disease and kidney failure; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That November 2010 be hereby recognized as Michigan Diabetes Awareness and Blood Glucose Control Month; and be it further

            Resolved, That we support awareness campaigns and public education programs on how to manage and recognize the symptoms of diabetes. Once diagnosed, people are encouraged to work with their health care providers to gain control of their blood glucose levels and to manage and prevent complications caused by diabetes; and be it further

            Resolved, That this legislative body endorses efforts to prevent diabetes and educate providers about treatment standards, tailored to individual patients, for managing diabetes; and be it further

            Resolved, That members of the Senate can play a vital role in supporting health care initiatives by knowing their own  hemoglobin A1c level.