LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 17, 2011, as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Alert Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is a serious health issue
affecting many New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 25.8 million Americans or 8.3 percent of
the population -- including more than 1 million New Yorkers -- have
diabetes, a serious disease that has no cure; and
WHEREAS, Another 79 million have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts
them at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that another 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 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 U.S. are Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
patients; and
WHEREAS, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is a serious condition that
damages nerve fibers due to prolonged exposure to high amounts of
glucose in the bloodstream; and
WHEREAS, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy often causes intense chronic
pain frequently described as tingling, shooting, burning, "pins and
needles" or sharp pain due to nerve damage; 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 who 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, Sixty-four percent of Diabetic Nerve Pain sufferers reported
that their pain interferes with the daily activities that matter to
them, and 80% of Diabetic Nerve Pain patients reported problems with
mobility; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, about 65,700,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputa-
tions 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-re-
lated 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 17, 2011, as
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Alert Day in the State of New York to
raise awareness of the dangers of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to support 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; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, 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, and the U.S.
Pain Foundation.