HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH 24, 2026 AS “NATIONAL DIABETES ALERT DAY 2026” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H8342

2026 -- H 8342
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LC006197
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING MARCH 24, 2026 AS “NATIONAL DIABETES ALERT DAY 2026” IN THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Diaz, Chippendale, Slater,
Stewart, Fogarty, Edwards, Casey, and Ajello

Date Introduced:
March 24, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting how the body processes blood
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sugar, and if left unmanaged, can lead to serious health complications including heart disease,
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kidney failure, vision loss, stroke, and lower limb amputations; and
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WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one
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in three adults in the United States have prediabetes, and approximately eight out of ten of those
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individuals are unaware of their condition, highlighting the importance of early awareness and
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preventive care; and
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WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, diabetes remains a significant health concern, with the
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state Department of Health reporting that over 11 percent of adults have been diagnosed with
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diabetes, and many more may be at risk for developing the condition; and
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WHEREAS, National Diabetes Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in
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March as a one day “wakeup call,” encouraging individuals to take the simple one minute
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Diabetes Risk Test and to learn more about how they can reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health and its community partners are
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committed to raising awareness about diabetes, promoting evidence based preventive programs
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such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and supporting all Rhode Islanders in making
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healthy lifestyle choices to improve long-term health; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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recognizes March 24, 2026 as “National Diabetes Alert Day 2026”, and commends the Rhode

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Island Department of Health and its community partners for their tireless efforts to educate and
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empower residents, and encourages all Rhode Islanders to learn about their diabetes risk, pursue
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preventive care, and make positive health choices; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to send
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a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health,
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Jerome Larkin, MD.
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