November 2022: Diabetes Awareness Month

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 37.3 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes and an estimated 96 million adults have prediabetes; and,

WHEREAS, an estimated 870,000 Michigan adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and over 3 million adults across the state are estimated to have prediabetes; and,

WHEREAS, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. and in Michigan; and,

WHEREAS, research shows that people at high risk for diabetes can lower their risk for type 2 diabetes by staying at a healthy weight, eating well, and being active; and,

WHEREAS, uncontrolled diabetes puts people at risk for serious complications including cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney disease and dialysis, and nerve damage and amputation; and,

WHEREAS, learning how to self-manage this condition through diabetes self-management education is a cornerstone of treatment; and,

WHEREAS, best practice guidelines to treat diabetes include but are not limited to insulin, oral medication, diet, physical activity, and daily self-management routines; and,

WHEREAS, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) caps costs for Medicare patients on insulin; and,

WHEREAS, in October 2022, I signed an executive directive tasking departments with determining how generic, state-manufactured insulin can be delivered at lower costs to Michiganders; and,

WHEREAS, the Diabetes Partners in Action Coalition and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, along with their partner organizations, have come together to increase awareness and focus efforts to prevent and/or decrease the adverse effects of diabetes in the state of Michigan;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 2022 as Diabetes Awareness Month in Michigan.