WHEREAS, Digestive diseases, in general, rank first among illnesses for total economic burden making up about 15% of all direct health care costs, therefore being the country’s most important health care issue; and

        WHEREAS, 20 to 30% of the general North American population experience bothersome upper or lower digestive tract motility disturbances on a chronic basis; and

        WHEREAS, this family of digestive motility diseases/disorders which are caused by a poorly understood neuro-muscular dysfunction of the gut that may produce in any region of the digestive tract chronic motor and sensory disturbances characterized by weakened, spastic or failed propulsion (motility) of food through the digestive system; and

        WHEREAS, compared to all other illnesses, Gastroparesis and other digestive motility disorders/diseases cause the highest rate of workplace absenteeism; and

        WHEREAS, Gastroparesis represents the most severe degree of these symptoms, and with so few medical treatment options available, this digestive disease disable individuals in the prime of their lives; and

        WHEREAS, the largest groups to develop Gastroparesis are women who have these digestive diseases due to an unknown cause; and

        WHEREAS, the second largest group to suffer from Gastroparesis is diabetics of whom with other Gastroparesis sufferers also experience numerous physician appointments, hospital emergency room visits and hospital admissions for nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain among other related symptoms; and

        WHEREAS, there is not one drug currently in the North American market designed specifically for the group of patients who suffer from this rare stomach illness; and

        WHEREAS, patients, who may appear well but are nevertheless suffering, must struggle against lack of support from the medical community, employers, teachers, family and friends, who do not understand living with this condition; and

        WHEREAS, patients must live life in the unknown with daily symptoms and flare-ups, no medication and poor medical education and lack of public awareness, which leaves most with no hope for the future;

        WHEREAS, lack of awareness surrounding any digestive disorder is the largest problem facing patients today; and

        WHEREAS, national and international organizations, such as the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign as well many others are here to educate the health care community and general public regarding the serious nature of Gastroparesis and other digestive motility diseases by providing information on treatment, early detection and symptom management but most important hope for a better future; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 2006, to be

GASTROPARESIS AND DIGESTIVE MOTILITY AWARENESS MONTH

in Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 4th day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE