A joint resolution to designate the week beginning May 18, 1986, as "National Digestive Diseases Awareness Week".
PL 99-306 (S.J.Res.324), enacted 05/19/1986

100 STAT. 442 
PUBLIC LAW 99-306—MAY 19, 1986 
Public Law 99-306 
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99th Congress 
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Joint Resolution 
May 19, 1986 
To designate the week beginning May 18, 1986, as "National Digestive Diseases 
[S.J. Res. 324] 
Awareness Week". 
Whereas digestive diseases rank third among illnesses in total 
economic cost in the United States; 
Whereas digestive diseases represent one of the Nation's most seri-
ous health problems in terms of discomfort and pain, mortality, 
personal expenditures for treatment, and working hours lost; 
Whereas twenty million Americans suffer from chronic digestive 
disease; 
Whereas more than fourteen million cases of acute digestive dis-
eases are treated in this country each year, including one-third of 
all malignancies and some of the most common acute infections; 
Whereas more Americans are hospitalized by digestive diseases than 
by any other diseases, necessitating 25 percent of all surgical 
operations; 
Whereas digestive diseases are one of the most prevalent causes of 
disability in the work force; 
Whereas digestive diseases cause yearly expenditure of over 
$17,000,000,000 in direct health care costs, and a total annual 
economic burden of nearly $50,000,000,000; 
Whereas at least one hundred different digestive diseases, in addi-
tion to other 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 disease and related nutrition problems has 
become a national concern, and the people of the United States 
should recognize digestive diseases as a major health priority; 
Whereas national organizations such as the Digestive Disease Na-
tional Coalition are committed to increasing awareness and 
understanding of digestive diseases among members of the gen-
eral public and the health care community; 
Whereas the National Institutes of Health, through its National 
Digestive Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse, and 
the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board are committed to 
encouraging and coordinating such educational efforts; and 
Whereas the week beginning May 18,1986, marks the third anniver-
sary of the National Digestive Disease Education Program, a 
coordinated effort to educate the public and the health care 
community regarding the seriousness of digestive diseases, and to 
provide information relative to their treatment, prevention, and 
control: Now, therefore, be it 
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PUBLIC LAW 99-306—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 443 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning 
May 18, 1986, is designated as "National Digestive Diseases Aware-
ness Week". The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
such week with appropriate programs and activities. 
Approved May 19, 1986. 
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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 324: 
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
Apr. 22, considered and passed Senate. 
May 7, considered and passed House.