[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BACK TO HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2001

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, back pain will affect eight 
out of ten Americans at some point in their lives, and is the second 
most common reason that people visit a physician. For this reason, I 
rise today to draw attention to a national campaign which recently 
concluded: ``Back to Health'' Month.
  Launched by the North American Spine Society (NASS), April served as 
Back to Health Month. In reality, if you are one of the millions who 
suffer from back pain, this is an issue of importance all year. NASS 
seeks to raise awareness of the impact of back pain on the lives of the 
American public and steps we all can take to maintain a strong and 
healthy back. Back pain represents a serious quality of life issue that 
is an all too common reality for many Americans, Mr. Speaker. Back 
problems also bring major economic consequences as well. Each year, 
back pain results in more lost days from work than any other ailment, 
except general bone and joint ``problems.'' In fact, there are more 
back injuries and disorders per 10,000 U.S. workers than any other 
musculoskeletal condition.
  In the month of April, Mr. Speaker, the North American Spine Society 
sponsored regional events around the country to highlight the 
importance of a healthy back, including ``Back to Health Day'' on 
Capitol Hill on April 24th.
  I encourage my colleagues to share this information with their 
constituents. Back pain is a problem which affects nearly all of us, 
but it is a problem that can be properly treated. I applaud NASS' 
efforts to get America ``Back to Health.''

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