A joint resolution designating May 1988 as "National Digestive Disease Awareness Month".
PL 100-306 (H.J.Res.421), enacted 05/03/1988

102 STAT. 454 
PUBLIC LAW 100-306—MAY 3, 1988 
Public Law 100-306 
100th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
May 3, 1988 
[H.J. Res. 421] 
Designating May 1988 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 20 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive 
diseases; 
Whereas more than 14 million cases of acute digestive diseases are 
treated in this country each year, including Vs of all malignancies 
and some of the most common acute infections; 
Whereas more Americans are hospitalized because of digestive dis-
eases than any other type of disease; 
Whereas digestive diseases necessitate 25 percent 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 $17,000,000,000 in direct health care costs 
and a total annual economic burden of nearly $50,000,000,000; 
Whereas more than 100 different digestive diseases, and other dis-
orders of the gastrointestinal tract, each cause more than 200 
deaths every 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 Diseases 
National 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 Diseases Education and Information Clearinghouse and 
the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board, is committed to 
encouraging and coordinating such educational efforts; 
Whereas the National Digestive Disease Education 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 1988 marks the fourth anniversary of the National 
Digestive Disease Education Program: Now, therefore, be it 
PUBLIC LAW 100-306—MAY 3,1988 
102 STAT. 455 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That May 1988 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 3, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 421: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
Apr. 20, considered and passed House. 
Apr. 22, considered and passed Senate.