[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 11 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 11

Expressing the sense of Congress to fully use the powers of the Federal 
 Government to enhance the science base required to more fully develop 
 the field of health promotion and disease prevention, and to explore 
  how strategies can be developed to integrate lifestyle improvement 
    programs into national policy, our health care system, schools, 
                 workplaces, families and communities.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 14, 2001

 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Craig, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Crapo, Mr. 
Lugar, Mr. Warner, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Biden, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. 
Ensign, Mr. Feingold, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following concurrent 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress to fully use the powers of the Federal 
 Government to enhance the science base required to more fully develop 
 the field of health promotion and disease prevention, and to explore 
  how strategies can be developed to integrate lifestyle improvement 
    programs into national policy, our health care system, schools, 
                 workplaces, families and communities.

Whereas the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that modifiable 
        lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, 
        unmanaged stress, and obesity account for approximately 50 percent of 
        the premature deaths in the United States;
Whereas the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that spending on 
        chronic diseases related to lifestyle and other preventable diseases 
        accounts for an estimated 70 percent of total health care spending;
Whereas preventing disease and disability can extend life and reduce the need 
        for health care services;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that the 
        health burden of these behaviors falls in greatest proportion on older 
        adults, young children, racial and ethnic minority groups and citizens 
        who have the least resources;
Whereas business leaders of America have asserted that spending for health care 
        can divert private sector resources from investments that could produce 
        greater financial returns and higher wages paid to employees;
Whereas the Office of Management and Budget reports that the medicaid and 
        medicare expenditures continue to grow;
Whereas the American Journal of Public Health reports that expenditures for the 
        medicare program will increase substantially as the population ages and 
        increasing numbers of people are covered by medicare;
Whereas the American Journal of Health Promotion reports that a growing research 
        base demonstrates that lifestyle factors can be modified to improve 
        health, improve the quality of life, reduce medical care costs, and 
        enhance workplace productivity through health promotion programs;
Whereas the Health Care Financing Administration has determined that less than 5 
        percent of health care spending is devoted to the whole area of public 
        health, and a very small portion of that 5 percent is devoted to health 
        promotion and disease prevention;
Whereas research in the basic and applied science of health promotion can yield 
        a better understanding of health and disease prevention;
Whereas additional research can clarify the impact of health promotion programs 
        on long term health behaviors, health conditions, morbidity and 
        mortality, medical care utilization and cost, as well as quality of life 
        and productivity;
Whereas the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science has 
        concluded that additional research is required to determine the most 
        effective strategies to create lasting health behavior changes, reduce 
        health care utilization, and enhanced productivity;
Whereas the private sector and academia cannot sponsor broad public health 
        promotion, disease prevention, and research programs;
Whereas the full benefits of health promotion cannot be realized--
            (1) unless strategies are developed to reach all groups including 
        older adults, young children, and minority groups;
            (2) until a more professional consensus on the management of health 
        and clinical protocols is developed;
            (3) until protocols are more broadly disseminated to scientists and 
        practitioners in health care, workplace, school, and other community 
        settings; and
            (4) until the merits of health promotion programs are disseminated 
        to policy makers;
Whereas investments in health promotion can contribute to reducing health 
        disparities; and
Whereas Research America reports that most American citizens strongly support 
        increased Federal investment in health promotion and disease prevention: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This resolution may be cited as the ``Building Health Promotion and 
Disease Prevention into the National Agenda Resolution of 2001''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should--
            (1) increase resources to enhance the science base required 
        to further develop the field of health promotion and disease 
        prevention; and
            (2) explore strategies to integrate life-style improvement 
        programs into national policy, health care, schools, 
        workplaces, families, and communities in order to promote 
        health and prevent disease.
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