[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL HEALTH PROMOTION RESOLUTION OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my 
colleague Mr. Burton, to introduce the National Health Promotion 
Resolution of 2001. This resolution recognizes the importance of health 
promotion and disease prevention, and expresses the sense of Congress 
that more should be done to integrate lifestyle improvement programs 
into national policy, health care workplaces, families and communities.
  Modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, 
poor nutrition, unmanaged stress, and obesity account for approximately 
half of premature deaths in the United States. Spending on chronic 
diseases related to lifestyle and other preventable diseases accounts 
for an estimated 70 percent of total health care spending. With the 
pending retirement of the baby-boom-generation, the financial burden of 
these preventable diseases will further threaten the solvency of the 
Medicare program.
  Health promotion programs have the potential to improve health, 
improve quality of life, reduce health care costs, and boost 
productivity. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that additional 
research is required to determine the most effective strategies at the 
individual, organizational, community, and societal level to create 
lasting health behavior changes, reduce medical utilization and enhance 
work-place productivity. Unfortunately, a very small percentage of 
health care spending, is devoted to health promotion.
  The National Health Promotion Resolution of 2001 expresses the sense 
of Congress that more must be done in this area. In light of the 
pending crisis facing our Medicare system, the federal government 
stands to benefit greatly from the potential reduction in costs 
associated with an aggressive health promotion agenda.
  This bipartisan legislation has forty original cosponsors, including 
the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Burton, who has worked closely with me 
and my office to shape this into a meaningful resolution. It is my hope 
that we will continue to work together to further our commitment to 
health promotion and disease prevention.
  I urge my colleagues to join us on this important resolution.

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