HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2019-4640

HR 4640

ByRepresentative Thai

WHEREAS, Approximately 640,000 people in Washington (10.9 percent of the adult population) are diagnosed with diabetes and Washingtonians of Asian heritage comprised 7.8 percent of the population; and

WHEREAS, Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death among Asian Americans. Asian Americans face a health care disparity in type 2 diabetes detection and diagnosis due to the current general guidelines that do not take into account lower body mass index which leads to 36 percent of misdiagnosed cases for Asian Americans over the age of 45; and

WHEREAS, Early detection and treatment can mitigate diabetes-related complications, risks, and costs. Interventions focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and healthy weight control have been shown to reverse prediabetes, improve glucose function in diabetics, and reduce the need for multiple medications; and

WHEREAS, Screening services for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans age 45 and older, at a BMI of 23kg/m2 will ensure early interventions that reduce negative comorbidities like heart diseases, kidney diseases, and limb amputation; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization recommends screening individuals identified as Asian at a lower body mass index in compared to other races, and the American Diabetes Association recommends that Asian Americans be tested for type 2 diabetes at a body mass index of 23; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Diabetes Coalition has coordinated the "Screen at 23" campaign with the support of over forty national and regional health organizations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives applaud the effort to educate and to promote evidence-based and scientific-based preventive screening and diabetic prevention by the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Diabetes Coalition to further the Healthy People 2020 national initiative.