A resolution designating November 2025 as "American Diabetes Month".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 514
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8399; text: CR S8281-8282)
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-24T18:44:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 514) aims to raise awareness about diabetes by officially designating November 2025 as "American Diabetes Month." It highlights the prevalence, impacts, and prevention of diabetes while supporting efforts to educate the public, promote early detection, and address health disparities.
Key Provisions
- Background Facts on Diabetes: The resolution cites data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association, including:
- Approximately 38.4 million Americans have diabetes, and 97.6 million adults aged 18 or older have prediabetes (a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes).
- Diabetes affects people across all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels, with higher rates among Hispanic, Black, Asian, American Indian, and Alaska Native adults; about 23% of cases remain undiagnosed.
- It impacts 11.6% of the U.S. population, including 29.2% of those aged 65 or older; nearly 1 in 4 veterans receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are treated for diabetes—more than double the general population rate.
- The lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes for U.S. adults is 40%; in 2022, diabetes-related medical costs totaled $412.9 billion, accounting for 1 in 4 health care dollars, with costs 2.6 times higher for those with diabetes.
- High insulin prices lead 1 in 4 insulin users to reduce their dosage due to cost; no cure exists, but prevention and management can reduce incidence and enable healthy lives.
- Designation and Support: The Senate designates November 2025 as "American Diabetes Month" and endorses its goals, which include:
- Promoting public awareness of prevention and treatment options to fight diabetes.
- Enhancing education about diabetes.
- Emphasizing early detection through awareness of symptoms and risk factors, such as being over 45 or overweight; or having certain racial/ethnic backgrounds, low physical activity, high blood pressure, family history of diabetes, or gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
- Supporting reductions in type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes through research, treatment, and prevention.
- Addressing barriers to health care that increase diabetes risk in underserved communities and limit access to prevention and management resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It builds on prior recognitions of American Diabetes Month (typically observed in November) by specifically designating 2025 and reiterating support for ongoing public health efforts.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Encourages greater public awareness, potentially leading to more early diagnoses, better management of diabetes, and lifestyle changes to prevent onset, especially among high-risk groups like older adults, certain ethnic minorities, veterans, and those with prediabetes. It may indirectly influence health behaviors but has no enforceable requirements.
- On Government Agencies: Supports the work of agencies like the CDC and VA by promoting their data and initiatives, but imposes no new mandates, funding, or operational changes.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses solely on domestic U.S. health issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with Diabetes or at Risk: Including the 38.4 million diagnosed, 97.6 million with prediabetes, veterans (over 25% of VA patients), older adults (29.2% prevalence), and disproportionately affected racial/ethnic groups (e.g., Hispanic, Black, Asian, American Indian, Alaska Native communities).
- Health Organizations: Such as the American Diabetes Association, which provides key data and advocates for the month.
- Health Care Providers and Systems: Impacted through calls for better education, access to care, and addressing cost barriers like high insulin prices.
- General Public: Benefiting from heightened awareness and education on prevention.
- Policymakers: Encouraged to prioritize diabetes research, treatment, and equity in health care access.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it carries no legal force or funding authority; it is symbolic and cannot be challenged in court.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority to recognize awareness months under the First Amendment's free speech protections, without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by Senators Shaheen (D) and Collins (R)), signaling congressional consensus on public health priorities like diabetes prevention and equity, potentially influencing future legislation on health care access and costs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8399; text: CR S8281-8282)
- 2025-11-20: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Designating November 2025 as American Diabetes Month. — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (4 pages)