Governor Stein Proclaims Pain Awareness Month

Pain Awareness Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the Institute of Medicine has found that 100 million Americans live with chronic pain as the result of serious illness or injury and that chronic pain causes physical and emotional suffering for those affected by this condition; and

Whereas, chronic pain is a significant public health issue nationwide and is one of the most cited reasons Americans seek medical care; and

Whereas, the National Institutes of Health has found the health and economic cost of chronic pain is an estimated $560 billion to $630 billion annually in medical expenses, lost wages, and lost productivity; and

Whereas, chronic pain negatively impacts people’s quality of life and their ability to actively participate in meaningful activities such as working, socializing, and engaging in recreational activities, and chronic pain adversely impacts the families and caregivers of the pain sufferers; and

Whereas, educating patients, the public, and health care professionals about the complexities of chronic pain and advocating for better access to effective treatment protocols results in better patient outcomes; and

Whereas, increased awareness of the effects of chronic pain on people’s lives validates those living in pain and decreases stigma for those seeking compassionate care and support; and

Whereas, Pain Awareness Month is dedicated to promoting better understanding of, as well as highlighting the importance of, support systems, early intervention, and comprehensive care for those living in pain;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as “Pain Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-first day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.