Wound Care Awareness Week

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, it is estimated that 6.7 million people currently live with chronic wounds and that number is expected to grow at more than two percent annually for the next decade; and
WHEREAS, the rising incidence is fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and the late effects of radiation therapy; and
WHEREAS, untreated chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possibly amputation of the affected limb; and
WHEREAS, the chronic wound epidemic represents a cost of more than $50 billion to the healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, more than 29.1 million people (9.3% of population) have diabetes in the United States and almost two million of those people will develop a diabetic foot ulcer or other non-healing wound; and
WHEREAS, advanced wound care aims to prevent amputations and heal patients in a faster and more cost-effective way; and
WHEREAS, wound care physicians and health care providers take great pride in caring for their patients, and seeing their patients succeed; and
WHEREAS, awareness and education about chronic wounds will benefit current and future chronic wound patients; and
WHEREAS, the goal of Wound Care Awareness Week is to inform patients, their families, community physicians and the general public about the importance of advanced wound care and its ability to save lives and limbs:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of June 5th through 9th 2017, as
Wound Care Awareness Week
in the State of Alabama.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1st day of June 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor