III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 535 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

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.