Designating May 1989 as "National Digestive Disease Awareness Month".
PL 101-34 (H.J.Res.170), enacted 05/25/1989

103 STAT. 66 
PUBLIC LAW 101-34—MAY 25, 1989 
Public Law 101-34 
101st Congress 
Joint Resolution 
May 25, 1989 
[H.J. Res. 170] 
Designating May 1989, as "National Digestive Disease Awareness Month". 
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, personal 
expenditures for treatment, working hours lost, and mortality; 
Whereas twenty million Americans suffer from chronic digestive 
diseases; 
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 with digestive diseases 
than any other type of disease; 
Whereas digestive diseases necessitate 25 per centum of all surgical 
operations; 
Whereas digestive diseases are one of the most prevalent causes of 
disability in the work force; 
Whereas in the United States digestive diseases cause yearly 
expenditures of over $17 billion in direct health care costs and a 
total annual economic burden of nearly $50 billion; 
Whereas more than one hundred different digestive diseases, and 
other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, each cause more than 
two hundred thousand deaths each year; 
Whereas there has been interest on the part of the research commu-
nity in the causes, cures, prevention, and clinical treatment of 
digestive diseases and related nutritional problems; 
Whereas the people of the United States should recognize preven-
tion and treatment of 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 in the health care community 
and among members of the general public; 
Whereas the National Institutes of Health, through the National 
Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse and the National 
Digestive Diseases Advisory Board, is committed to encouraging 
and coordinating such educational efforts; 
PUBLIC LAW 101-34—MAY 25, 1989 
103 STAT. 67 
Whereas the National Digestive Disease Ekiucation Program is a 
coordinated effort to educate the public and the health care 
community on the seriousness of digestive diseases and to provide 
information relative to the treatment, prevention, and control of 
digestive diseases; and 
Whereas May 1989 marks the seventh anniversary of the National 
Digestive Disease Education Program: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled. That May 1989 is des-
ignated as "National Digestive Disease Awareness Month", and the 
President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation call-
ing upon all government agencies and the people of the United 
States to observe such month with appropriate programs, cere-
monies, and activities. 
Approved May 25, 1989. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 170: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 135 (1989): 
May 9, considered and passed House. 
May 16, considered and passed Senate.