A joint resolution to designate the week of May 20, 1984, through May 26, 1984 as "National Digestive Diseases Awareness Week".
PL 98-295 (S.J.Res.228), enacted 05/22/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-295—MAY 22, 1984 
98 STAT. 209 
Public Law 98-295 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To designate the week of May 20, 1984, through May 26, 1984, as "National Digestive 
May 22, 1984 
Diseases Awareness Week". 
[S.J. Res. 228] 
Whereas digestive diseases rank third in the total economic burden 
of illness in the United States and, measured in terms of human 
discomfort and pain, mortality, personal expenditures for treat-
ment, working hours lost, and burden on the Nation's economy, 
digestive diseases represent one of the Nation's most serious 
health problems; 
Whereas twenty million Americans suffer from chronic digestive 
disease and disorders, and in excess of fourteen million cases of 
acute digestive diseases are treated in this country each year, 
including one-third of all malignancies and some of the most 
common of acute infections; 
Whereas such diseases cause more Americans to be hospitalized 
than any other, necessitate 25 per centum of all surgical oper-
ations, and comprise one of the most prevalent causes of disability 
in the working force; 
Whereas digestive diseases cause a yearly expenditure of over 
$17,000,000,000 in direct health care costs and a total economic 
burden approaching $50,000,000,000 annually; 
Whereas at least one hundred different diseases and disorders of the 
gastrointestinal tract cause more than two hundred thousand 
deaths every year; 
Whereas research into the causes, cures, prevention, and clinical 
treatment of digestive diseases and related nutrition problems 
should become a national concern, and the people of the United 
States should recognize diseases of the digestive system as a major 
health priority; 
Whereas national lay and professional digestive disease organiza-
tions, individually and collectively, through the Coalition of 
Digestive Disease Organizations and the Federation of Digestive 
Disease Societies, are committed to heightening awareness and 
understanding of digestive tract disorders among members of the 
general public and the health care community; 
Whereas the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board and the 
National Institutes of Health, through its National Digestive 
Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse, are commit-
ted to encourage and coordinate these educational efforts; and 
Whereas the week of May 20, 1984, through May 26, 1984, marks the 
first anniversary of the national digestive disease education pro-
gram, a coordinated effort to mobilize and focus the activities of 
the digestive disease community to educate the public and health 
care community as to the seriousness of digestive diseases and to 
provide information relative to treatment, prevention, and con-
trol: Now, therefore, be it 
31-194 0 - 86 - 9 : QL. 3 Part 1 
98 STAT. 210 
PUBLIC LAW 98-295—MAY 22, 1984 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week of May 20, 
1984, through May 26, 1984, is designated as "National Digestive 
Diseases Awareness Week", and the President of the United States 
is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all 
Government agencies and the people of the United States to observe 
the week with appropriate programs and activities. 
Approved May 22, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 228: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Feb. 27, considered and passed Senate. 
May 17, considered and passed House. 
I an