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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low
3bone mass, structural deterioration of bone, and increased
4susceptibility to fractures, especially in older women; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for
6an estimated 52 million Americans; and
 
7    WHEREAS, One in every 2 women and one in every 4 men over
8the age of 50 will be affected by osteoporosis and low bone
9density; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Annual osteoporosis costs for America's
11healthcare system top $18 billion and will double by 2050, as
12America's population ages; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million bone
14fractures annually; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is often thought of as a disease more
16prevalent amongst elders; in actuality, bone health is a
17concern for people of all ages; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Substantial risk of osteoporosis has been
19reported in persons of all ethnic backgrounds; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable
2disease; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Building strong bones throughout childhood and
4adolescence can be the best defense against developing
5osteoporosis later in life; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Almost 90% of bone mass is acquired by age 18 in
7women and by age 20 in men; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Only one in 3 Americans receive enough calcium in
9their daily diet, a problem which is especially severe for
10children and adolescents in critical years of bone development;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Optimum bone health and prevention of
13osteoporosis can be maximized by a balanced diet rich in
14calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and a healthy
15lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease"
17because bone loss can occur without symptoms and may not be
18detected until a fracture occurs; and
 
19    WHEREAS, A bone mineral density test can be performed to

 

 

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1identify osteoporosis and determine the risk for fractures and
2the severity of the disease; and
 
3    WHEREAS, At least 14 states, including Illinois, mandate
4insurance coverage for osteoporosis-related diagnostic and
5treatment services; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The month of May has been designated as National
7Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
9NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10we recognize and appreciate the ideals, goals, and activities
11of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month and
12urge the people of Illinois to observe appropriate good health
13programs and activities with respect to preventing and
14controlling osteoporosis.