Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
SUMMARY--Requires governor to proclaim week in May as Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Week in State of Nevada. (BDR 19-1190)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to days of observance; requiring the governor to proclaim a week in May as Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Week in the State of Nevada; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Whereas, Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that poses a serious threat to the health and quality of life of one of every two women and one of every five men in this country; and
Whereas, It is estimated that over 150,000 women and men in Nevada currently suffer from osteoporosis and low-bone mass; and
Whereas, Osteoporosis progresses silently and without sensation over many years, and many cases remain undiagnosed because its first symptom is often a bone fracture, typically of the hip, spine or wrist; and
Whereas, While Nevada's population ages over the next 20 years, it is estimated that Nevada's residents will experience more than 24,900 hip fractures and the incidence of all bone fractures will increase by more than 86 percent; and
Whereas, It is estimated the annual cost for these fractures will increase from approximately $20 million in 1995 to $103 million by the year 2015; and
Whereas, Each such fracture causes pain, disability, immobility and social isolation, and significantly affects the person's quality of life and threatens his or her ability to live independently, thus increasing long-term health care costs; and
Whereas, Because osteoporosis currently has no cure, it is imperative for us to focus on the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the prevalence of and the devastation resulting from this disease; and
Whereas, Low bone mass is one of the most reliable predictors of a person's risk of future fracture; and
Whereas, A person's bone mass can now be accurately and painlessly measured to diagnose and monitor the treatment of osteoporosis; and
Whereas, Most people, including physicians and other health care providers, lack sufficient knowledge in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease because information about osteoporosis is not adequately disseminated to the public; and
Whereas, Since osteoporosis is part of the normal aging process, it is imperative that members of the younger generation be educated regarding their own ability to build strong bones during childhood and preserve them during adulthood so they may prevent their own osteoporosis in later life; and
Whereas, In recognition of the fact that this disease affects one of every two women in this country, a national awareness campaign has begun which annually designates National Osteoporosis Prevention Week as the week which begins each Mother's Day; now, therefore,
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1 Chapter 236 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. The governor shall annually proclaim the week that begins with Mother's Day to be Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Week in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation must call upon news media, educators, health care providers and appropriate governmental officers to:
(a) Bring to the attention of Nevada's residents factual information regarding the early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis; and
(b) Emphasize the potential for the prevention of the disease.
Sec. 2 This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.