| R 182 |
| 2026 -- H 8342 Enacted 03/24/2026 |
| 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 |
| WHEREAS, Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting how the body processes blood |
| sugar, and if left unmanaged, can lead to serious health complications including heart disease, |
| kidney failure, vision loss, stroke, and lower limb amputations; and |
| WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one |
| in three adults in the United States have prediabetes, and approximately eight out of ten of those |
| individuals are unaware of their condition, highlighting the importance of early awareness and |
| preventive care; and |
| WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, diabetes remains a significant health concern, with the |
| state Department of Health reporting that over 11 percent of adults have been diagnosed with |
| diabetes, and many more may be at risk for developing the condition; and |
| WHEREAS, National Diabetes Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in |
| March as a one day “wakeup call,” encouraging individuals to take the simple one minute |
| Diabetes Risk Test and to learn more about how they can reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health and its community partners are |
| committed to raising awareness about diabetes, promoting evidence based preventive programs |
| such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and supporting all Rhode Islanders in making |
| healthy lifestyle choices to improve long-term health; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes March 24, 2026 as “National Diabetes Alert Day 2026”, and commends the Rhode |
| Island Department of Health and its community partners for their tireless efforts to educate and |
| empower residents, and encourages all Rhode Islanders to learn about their diabetes risk, pursue |
| preventive care, and make positive health choices; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to send |
| a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, |
| Jerome Larkin, MD. |
| ======== |
| LC006197 |
| ======== |