LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim July 14, 2010, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Alert Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is estimated 23.6 million Americans or 7.8 percent of the
population, including more than 1 million New Yorkers (one out of every
12 adults) have diabetes, a serious disease that has no cure; and
WHEREAS, Another 57 million, or one in five Americans have pre-dia-
betes, a condition that puts them at greater risk for developing Type 2
diabetes; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated another 5.7 million Americans have diabetes
but are currently undiagnosed, including 450,000 New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Diabetes has many faces affecting everyone young and old
alike including: Caucasians, African Americans, Latinos, Native Ameri-
cans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders; and
WHEREAS, Minority populations in New York State have a higher preva-
lence of diabetes especially in the Hispanic, African American, and
Asian American populations and minority populations in the United States
have an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes; and
WHEREAS, The American Diabetes Association estimates that about 60% to
70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system
damage due to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy; and
WHEREAS, The Neuropathy Association estimates 30% of all peripheral
neuropathy patients in the United States are Diabetic Peripheral Neuro-
pathy patients; and
WHEREAS, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is a serious condition that
damages nerve fibers due to the prolonged exposure to high amounts of
glucose in the blood stream; and
WHEREAS, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy often causes intense chronic
pain including aching, tingling, burning, and numbness of the feet; and
WHEREAS, Serious foot problems most often result from nerve damage,
which can cause a loss of feeling in the feet; and
WHEREAS, Most patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy have no
symptoms, but lose sensation in the feet, may be at increased risk for
falls and may still be at risk for the complications of Diabetic Periph-
eral Neuropathy including foot ulcers; and
WHEREAS, The rate for amputation in people with diabetes is 10 times
higher than for people without diabetes, and more than 60% of non-trau-
matic lower limb amputations occur in people with diabetes due to
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, about 71,000 non traumatic lower limb amputations
were performed in people with diabetes in the United States, over 5,000
in New York State alone; and
WHEREAS, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy accounts for more diabetes
related hospitalizations than any other complication and New Yorkers
with diabetes are now hospitalized at a rate nearly 80% higher than the
national rate; and
WHEREAS, Many diabetes hospitalizations and deaths can be prevented by
better management of the disease, including annual foot exams that
encompass testing and treatment of diabetic foot issues including
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy; and
WHEREAS, The American Diabetes Association estimates the cost of
diabetes in New York State in 2006 was close to $13 billion, including
excess medical costs of $8.7 billion and lost productivity of $4.2
billion; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, The Neuropathy Association found that 8.6% of all
Medicare recipients had peripheral neuropathy as their primary or

secondary diagnosis, with peripheral neuropathy treatment accounting for
approximately 14 million Medicare claims at an approximate cost of $3.5
billion; and
WHEREAS, An increase in community awareness of risk factors and symp-
toms related to diabetes can improve the likelihood that people with
diabetes will get the attention they need before suffering devastating
complications; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body finds Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy to
be a serious health issue affecting New Yorkers that is deserving of
attention from the New York State Legislature; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body supports public awareness efforts to
inform people of the many dangers posed by diabetes and in particular
what steps to take to delay or prevent Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim July 14, 2010, as
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Alert Day in the State of New York; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and to the American Diabetes Association, The Neuropathy Associ-
ation and The New York State Podiatric Medical Association.