Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 3.djvu/641

 PROCLAMATION 6277—APR. 22, 1991 105 STAT. 2525 NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH. President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 26, 1991, as National Arbor Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have heremito set my hand this twenty- second day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6277 of April 22, 1991 National Trauma Awareness Month, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Trauma is a significant public health problem that merits serious attention. The United States Department of Health and Human Services reports that traumatic injuries claim the lives of more than 180,000 Americans each year. Many thousands more are severely or permanently disabled. In addition to inflicting imtold pain and suffering upon victims and their families, traumatic injuries also exact a high price &om om* Nation in terms of health care costs and lost productivity. While each of us is a potential trauma victim, young Americans and senior citizens are at especially high risk. Traimiatic injuries kill six times as many children as cancer, which is the next leading cause of death in children. Traimiatic injuries—^most often suffered in motor vehicle collisions—cause four out of five deaths among teenagers and young adults. Among persons 75 years of age or older, the death rate due to falls is nearly 12 times the rate in the general population. Although these statistics are alarming, the vast majority of traumatic injuries result from hazards that can be reduced or prevented. All Americans need to learn more about the conditions and behaviors that can lead to traumatic injmies. By identifying and avoiding risks—in the home, in the workplace, at play, and on the road—we can lead healthier, safer lives. When trauma does occur, however, proper medical care and rehabilitation also play an important role in reducing deaths and disability. Ef - fective treatment begins with access to emergency services and hospitals that are capable of providing the high level of care needed by tramna victims. Optimal treatment includes rehabilitation programs and follow-up services that facilitate the fullest possible recovery. Across the country health care professionals, educators, industry leaders, and government officials are working together with concerned citizens to promote greater awareness of traimiatic injuries and to encourage the adoption of measures to prevent them. This month we recognize the importance of their efforts.

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