June 3 - 7, 2019: Wound Care Awareness Month

WHEREAS, it is estimated that 6.7 million people currently live with chronic wounds and that number is expected to grow at a rate of more than two percent annually for the next decade, as the rising incidence is fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and the late effects of radiation therapy; and,

WHEREAS, untreated chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possibly amputation of the affected limb, and advanced wound care aims to prevent amputations and heal patients in a faster and more cost-effective way; and,

WHEREAS, the chronic wound epidemic represents a cost of more than $50 billion to the health care system; and,

WHEREAS, more than 30.3 million people (9.4% of population) have diabetes in the United States (U.S.) and almost two million of those people will develop a diabetic foot ulcer or other non-healing wound; and,

WHEREAS, advanced wound care physicians and health care providers take great pride in caring for their patients and seeing their patients succeed; and,

WHEREAS, awareness and education about chronic wounds will benefit current and future chronic wound patients. The goal of Wound Care Awareness Week is to inform patients, their families, community physicians, and the general public about the importance of advanced wound care and its ability to save lives and limbs;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 3-7, 2019, as Wound Care Awareness Week in Michigan.