WHEREAS, inadequate or unbalanced nutrition, known as malnutrition, is prevalent in many groups, including vulnerable populations such as hospitalized patients and minority populations, with older adults having the highest rate of malnutrition compared to other groups; and
WHEREAS, nutrition is a human right and Social Determinant of Health, and malnutrition is exacerbated by the global COVID-19 health pandemic, which has intensified disparities, inequities, and social isolation and is further compounded by food insecurity; and
WHEREAS, illness, injury, and malnutrition can result in the loss of lean body mass, leading to complications that impact good patient health outcomes, including recovery from surgery, illness, or disease; and
WHEREAS, each day, approximately 15,000 hospital patients with malnutrition go undiagnosed; and
WHEREAS, malnourished patients have two times longer hospital stays compared to patients with no malnutrition; and
WHEREAS, the 30-day readmission rate is 1.6 times higher than patients without malnutrition;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 4-8, 2021, as “MALNUTRITION AWARENESS WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.