[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9322]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


       2006 NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2006

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize that the 2006 
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month will be observed 
this May.
  There are currently 44 million Americans, age 50 or older, who have 
osteoporosis. In addition, an estimated 1.5 million fractures are 
attributed to this disease every year. Although this disease has 
commonly been associated with women, it is prevalent in men as well. 
Nearly two million men currently live with osteoporosis, millions of 
others are at risk and one in eight men older than 50 years will have 
an osteoporotic fracture.
  Furthermore, the risk for osteoporosis does increase with age. 
However, it is important to adopt good diet with calcium and vitamin D 
during childhood and adolescence to prevent a person from being 
diagnosed with low bone mass later on.
  As we observe the National Osteoporosis Awareness Month, I would like 
to urge providers and individuals to discuss osteoporosis and carry out 
bone mineral density diagnostic tests when necessary.
  In addition, I would like to commend the National Osteoporosis 
Foundation for bringing awareness to this debilitating disease, 
providing educational material on this issue, and supporting a search 
for a cure since 1984. They have entitled this year's campaign 
``Osteoporosis . . . it matters'' and will be hosting events throughout 
the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I stand here today to 
promote the National Osteoporosis Awareness Month and honor the 
National Osteoporosis Foundation staff for all of their hard work.

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