WHEREAS, chronic diseases and conditions – such as some forms of heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis – are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems; and
WHEREAS, chronic diseases are responsible for 7 out of every 10 deaths each year in the United States, and treating people with chronic diseases accounts for most of our nation’s health care costs; and
WHEREAS, chronic diseases and injuries are accountable for approximately two-thirds of all deaths each year in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, approximately half of all-American adults have at least one chronic condition; and
WHEREAS, just as chronic diseases share many of the same causes, they also share many of the same strategies and interventions that can prevent them or lessen their severity; and
WHEREAS, Chronic Disease Awareness Day promotes best practices of self-care to reduce individual risk and thereby lower national health care costs for everyone; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina commends the many organizations, groups, agencies, and individuals working to increase awareness, provide education, encourage prevention, and promote accessible health care to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases in communities throughout our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim July 10, 2021, as “CHRONIC DISEASE AWARENESS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.