Khan Diabetes Awareness Month Resolution adopted by House

Philadelphia House Delegation    November 21, 2023 | 1:47 PM

HARRISBURG, Nov. 21 – A resolution (H.R. 141) designating November 2023 as “Diabetes Awareness Month,” has been adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The resolution was introduced by state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Donna Oberlander, R-Armstrong.

More than 1.1 million Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with diabetes; that’s 11% of the state’s adult population (Microsoft Word - ADV_2021_State_Fact_sheets_all.docx (diabetes.org).

“One out of every two Pennsylvania adults have diabetes or prediabetes, and nearly 20% of all adults have diabetes but don’t know about it yet,” said Khan, who is a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner. “Creating awareness about diabetes is critical, and this bipartisan resolution helps us to educate Pennsylvanians on the need to get tested for diabetes and manage the disease if they have it.”

A video about the resolution can be found here: (https://youtu.be/x8LX97kgKU0).

“As co-chair of the Diabetes Caucus, I was pleased to have the resolution declaring November as Diabetes Awareness Month pass the House of Representatives,” said Oberlander. “The prevalence of diabetes and the increase in both Type 1 or Type 2 makes it essential to educate and spread awareness to the signs and symptoms so that our constituents can get tested and treatment for better health.”

Monica Billger, American Diabetes Association director of state government affairs for the Mid-Atlantic, applauded the adoption of H.R. 141.

“The American Diabetes Association applauds Representative Khan and Representative Oberlander for their resolution recognizing November as Diabetes Awareness month. It takes all of us to end diabetes. This November, the ADA is fighting back against prediabetes and diabetes with education, research and advocacy. With an American being diagnosed with diabetes every 23 seconds, we won’t stop until there’s a cure, and we will continue to fight for affordable, accessible health care for improved health outcomes.”

Amit Bhargava, vice president of the American Diabetes Association Western Pennsylvania Community Leadership Board expressed her support of H.R. 141.

“We are grateful to the PA House of Representatives for declaring November Diabetes Awareness Month. This historical resolution is a crucial step in the fight against the rising tide of diabetes. It could not have come at a better time!”