[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 535 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 535

    Recognizing the goals and ideals of the Movement is Life Caucus.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2012

 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Recognizing the goals and ideals of the Movement is Life Caucus.

Whereas arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States, 
        according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affecting 
        50,000,000 Americans, and among the leading reasons for doctors' visits 
        and missed work;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that in 2003 
        arthritis cost the United States economy $128,000,000,000 annually in 
        medical costs and lost wages;
Whereas 27,000,000 Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (the most common form of 
        arthritis) and almost 80 percent have some degree of movement 
        limitation;
Whereas the onset of chronic joint pain and osteoarthritis can lead to 
        disability and a loss of personal independence;
Whereas, women along with African-Americans and Latinos, the two largest racial 
        and ethnic minority groups in the United States, face more severe 
        osteoarthritis and disability, yet receive less than optimal access to 
        diagnostic, medical, and surgical intervention than do other groups;
Whereas women and minorities experiencing chronic diseases (such as diabetes, 
        obesity, and heart disease (all medical conditions positively impacted 
        by physical activity)) struggle disproportionately with undiagnosed and 
        diagnosed osteoarthritis;
Whereas there is a lack of awareness about the connection between 
        musculoskeletal health disparities, increasing physical inactivity 
        levels and disparities in diabetes, obesity, and heart disease among 
        women, African-Americans and Latinos, which have a significant impact on 
        increasing health care costs and workforce productivity;
Whereas the first Movement is Life National Summit in September 2010 facilitated 
        a national dialogue among stakeholders engaged in the continuum of care 
        of women, African-Americans, and Latinos, about musculoskeletal health 
        disparities;
Whereas the National Movement is Life Work Group Caucus has been established and 
        the third annual meeting will be held this September 16-18, 2012 in 
        Washington, DC;
Whereas the National Movement is Life Work Group Caucus will facilitate the 
        development of action plans to help reduce musculoskeletal health 
        disparities; and
Whereas the National Movement is Life Work Group Caucus seeks to promote early 
        intervention, slow musculoskeletal disease progression, reduce 
        disability, and encourage physical activity and daily movement in order 
        to improve the health of those currently disadvantaged as well as the 
        overall health of the nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the musculoskeletal health disparities 
        present among women, African-Americans, and Latinos;
            (2) acknowledges the dangers posed to these populations, 
        from rising inactivity levels and the impact on increased risk 
        of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart 
        disease;
            (3) seeks to raise public awareness in these communities 
        about osteoarthritis and the importance of early intervention;
            (4) encourages physical activity and daily movement, in 
        order to limit the exasperation of related chronic diseases and 
        loss of independence; and
            (5) commends the Movement is Life National Caucus for its 
        efforts in creating a dialogue which draws attention to these 
        health disparities which continue to impact our national 
        economy and many lives around the country.
                                 <all>