Fleming bill for diabetes awareness headed to governor’s desk

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    October 25, 2024 | 10:30 AM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 25 – A bill sponsored by state Rep. Justin Fleming directing Pennsylvania schools to send home information about type 1 diabetes and its warning signs passed the state House and Senate and is now headed to the governor’s desk.

“The warning signs of type 1 diabetes can often go unnoticed, so knowing what to look for is literally lifesaving,” Fleming, D-Dauphin, said. “This legislation will help empower individuals with diabetes education so they can act when warning signs appear. This bill is also very personal as my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in June 2020.”

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas shuts down, failing to provide insulin that the body needs to regulate blood glucose. Those who have type 1 diabetes are dependent on pharmaceutically manufactured insulin for life.

For many, the signs of type 1 diabetes can go unnoticed for longer periods of time resulting in a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, leading to serious health complications that may even be fatal. Recognizing the signs of diabetes early, along with targeted screening and monitoring, have been shown to reduce the incidence of DKA, reduce rates of hospitalization and, most importantly, save lives, Fleming said.

 "The most common age range for a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is between 6-16. This legislation will make sure that parents and guardians are equipped with the crucial information to identify the disease and save their kids from needless suffering," Fleming said.