Ronald Reagan

“ Digestive diseases rank third in the total economic burden of illness in the United States. More important, in terms of human discomfort, pain, and mortality, they constitute one of our most serious national health problems.
Digestive diseases are a major cause of hospitalization and surgery in this country. Each day some 200,000 people miss work because of them. ”

“ Twenty million Americans are treated for some type of chronic digestive disorder each year, and almost half of our population suffers an occasional digestive disorder, creating a yearly expenditure of approximately $17 billion in direct health care costs, and a total estimated economic burden of $50 billion. ”

“ I urge the people of the United States and educational, philanthropic, scientific, medical, and health care organizations and professionals to participate in appropriate activities to encourage further research into the causes and cures of all types of digestive disorders. ”