HR0592 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0592 LRB102 23159 MST 32319 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, An estimated 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass; studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis; and

WHEREAS, Osteoporosis-related bone fractures are responsible for more hospitalizations than heart attacks, strokes, or breast cancer; in a recent yearly total, approximately 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries suffered approximately 2.1 million osteoporotic fractures; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, 67,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered over 79,500 osteoporotic fractures in 2016; and

WHEREAS, The cost for Illinois citizens who suffered an initial and subsequent fracture was estimated at over $261.9 million; and

WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because one cannot feel bones weakening; a broken bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis; timely bone health screening, diagnosis, and treatment can help prevent fractures that can lead to hospitalizations and nursing home stays; and

WHEREAS, Cost-effective post fracture care, which improves care coordination, has been demonstrated to reduce the number of subsequent or repeat fractures yet is not widely available or properly incentivized by Medicare; and

WHEREAS, Osteoporosis and the broken bones it can cause are not a part of normal aging; building strong bones begins in childhood and is essential to the prevention of osteoporosis; care for our bones is vital throughout our lives, but we reach our peak bones mass by early adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Optimum bone health and prevention of osteoporosis can be maximized by a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, and a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or no excessive alcohol intake; and

WHEREAS, We must raise awareness about bone health among the public, health professionals, and policymakers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that recognize and appreciate the ideals, goals, and activities of the National Bone Health and Osteoporosis Month in May and encourage the observation of appropriate good health programs and activities concerning the promotion of good bone health throughout the lifetime and the prevention of osteoporosis.