[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5882-S5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 535--RECOGNIZING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE MOVEMENT 
                             IS LIFE CAUCUS

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

                              S. Res. 535

       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, D.C.;
       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.

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