68-1-1502 - Legislative findings. - Tennessee Statutes

68-1-1502. Legislative findings.

(a)  The general assembly finds the following:

     (1)  Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major public health problem that poses a threat to the health and quality of life to as many as twenty-five million (25,000,000) Americans;

     (2)  The one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) fractures each year that result from osteoporosis cause pain, disability, immobility and social isolation, affecting quality of life and threatening people's ability to live independently;

     (3)  Because osteoporosis progresses silently and without sensation over many years, and many cases remain undiagnosed, its first symptom is often a fracture, typically of the hip, spine or wrist;

     (4)  One (1) of every two (2) women and one (1) of every five (5) men will suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime;

     (5)  A woman's risk of hip fracture is equal to the woman's combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer;

     (6)  The annual direct and indirect costs of osteoporosis to the health care system were estimated to be as high as eighteen billion dollars ($18 billion) in 1993, and are expected to rise to sixty to eighty billion dollars ($60 $80 billion) by the year 2020;

     (7)  Since osteoporosis progresses silently and currently has no cure, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment are key to reducing the prevalence of and devastation from this disease;

     (8)  Although there exists a large quantity of public information about osteoporosis, it remains inadequately disseminated and not tailored to meet the needs of specific population groups;

     (9)  Most people, including physicians, health care providers and government agencies, continue to lack knowledge in the prevention, detection and treatment of the disease;

     (10)  Experts in the field of osteoporosis believe that, with greater awareness of the value of prevention among medical experts, service providers and the public, osteoporosis will be preventable and treatable in the future, thereby reducing the costs of long-term care;

     (11)  Osteoporosis is a multi-generational issue, because building strong bones during youth and preserving them during adulthood may prevent fractures in later life; and

     (12)  Educating the public and health care community throughout this state about this potentially devastating disease is of paramount importance and is in every respect in the public interest and to the benefit of all residents of this state.

(b)  By this enactment, it is the intent of the general assembly to:

     (1)  Create and foster a multi-generational, statewide program to promote public awareness and knowledge about the causes of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, the value of prevention and early detection and the options available for treatment;

     (2)  Facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding of osteoporosis by disseminating educational materials, information about research results, services and strategies for prevention and treatment to patients, health professionals and the public;

     (3)  Utilize educational and training resources and services that have been developed by organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of osteoporosis and to use available technical assistance;

     (4)  Evaluate existing osteoporosis services in the community and assess the need for improving the quality and accessibility of community-based services;

     (5)  Provide easy access to clear, complete and accurate osteoporosis information and referral services;

     (6)  Educate and train service providers, health professionals and physicians;

     (7)  Heighten awareness about the prevention, detection and treatment of osteoporosis among state and local health and human service officials, health educators and policy makers;

     (8)  Coordinate state programs and services to address the issue of osteoporosis;

     (9)  Promote the development of support groups for osteoporosis patients and their families and caregivers;

     (10)  Adequately fund these programs; and

     (11)  Provide lasting improvements in the delivery of osteoporosis health care, thus providing patients with an improved quality of life and society with the containment of health care costs.

[Acts 1995, ch. 81, § 2.]