NJ AJR59

Designates November of each year as "Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the awareness month and calling upon public officials and citizens to observe it with appropriate activities and programs

Notes that diabetes affects over 29 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death, with type 2 diabetes representing 90-95% of diagnosed adult cases

Highlights that cardiovascular disease causes 68% of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes, yet 52% of adults with type 2 diabetes are unaware of their increased cardiovascular risk

Cites New Jersey Medicare expenditures of nearly $1.5 billion for 5,481 beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with higher prevalence rates in African American (13.7%) and Hispanic (10.2%) populations