[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10134-10135]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS AND 
                            PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 265) supporting the goals and ideals 
of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 265

       Whereas osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone 
     mass, structural deterioration of bone, and increased 
     susceptibility to fractures, is a public health threat for an 
     estimated 44 million Americans;
       Whereas in the United States, 10 million individuals 
     already have the disease and almost 34 million more are 
     estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased 
     risk for osteoporosis;
       Whereas one in two women and one in four men over age 50 
     will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her or his 
     remaining lifetime;
       Whereas building strong bones during childhood and 
     adolescence can be the best defense against developing 
     osteoporosis later;
       Whereas osteoporosis is often thought of as an older 
     person's disease, but bone health is a concern for any age;
       Whereas substantial risk has been reported in people of all 
     ethnic backgrounds;
       Whereas osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 
     million fractures annually;
       Whereas the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service 
     says that caring for bone fractures from osteoporosis costs 
     America $18 billion annually;
       Whereas the Surgeon General believes that bone health is 
     critically important to the overall health and quality of the 
     life of Americans; that it is in jeopardy and will only get 
     worse if left unchecked; and that great improvements in the 
     bone health status of Americans can be made by applying what 
     is already known about early prevention, assessment, 
     diagnosis, and treatment;
       Whereas optimum bone health and prevention of osteoporosis 
     can be maximized by a balanced diet rich in calcium and 
     vitamin D; weight-bearing exercise; and a healthy lifestyle 
     with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake; and
       Whereas May 2006 would be an appropriate month to observe 
     National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and 
     Prevention Month and urges the people of the United States to 
     observe appropriate programs and activities with respect to 
     osteoporosis, including talking with their health care 
     professionals about their bone health.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on 
the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. And I rise today in support of House Resolution 265, a 
resolution authored by Representatives Berkley and Burgess, that 
establishes a National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.
  Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and 
structural deterioration of bone tissue which can lead to fragile bones 
and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially the hip, spine 
and wrist.
  Osteoporosis is a major health threat for an estimated 44 million 
Americans, or a full 55 percent of people 50 years of age and older. In 
the United States, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have 
the disease and nearly 34 million more are at an increased risk for 
osteoporosis.
  Of the 10 million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, 8 million 
are women and 2 million are men.
  Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because it can progress 
very slowly over time without symptoms until a fracture occurs. The 
consequences of osteoporosis can be devastating, painful, costly and 
even deadly. Approximately 20 percent of hip fracture patients will die 
within a year after their fracture, usually from complications related 
to the fracture.
  People tend to assume that osteoporosis is an inevitable part of 
aging. But for the most part, it is preventable. Prevention of 
osteoporosis should begin in early childhood and continue throughout 
life. Building a strong skeleton during childhood, adolescence and 
young adulthood can help people avoid osteoporosis later in life.
  The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends five steps that can 
optimize bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. First, eat a 
balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to build and maintain 
strong bones. Foods rich in calcium include dairy products like milk 
and cheese and fish like salmon. Very few foods are rich in vitamin D, 
but milk is often fortified with vitamin D. Sunlight exposure to the 
hands, face and arms for 5 to 15 minutes, two to three times a week, 
helps the body produce its own vitamin D.
  Second, engage in weightbearing exercise.
  Third, don't smoke or drink too much.
  Fourth, talk to your doctor about bone health.
  And fifth, have your bone density tested and take medication as 
directed by a physician.
  The activities of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention 
Month encourage Americans to take the proper steps to protect 
themselves from osteoporosis, including talking with their health care 
professionals about their bone health.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the chairman of our 
committee.
  I particularly want to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Berkley, for 
her work on raising awareness about osteoporosis. It has been a 
particular mission of hers and it is making a difference around the 
country, that women are stepping forward on this issue.
  As we may know, osteoporosis affects around 10 million Americans, 
most of whom are over 55, and it is the cause of

[[Page 10135]]

an estimated 1.5 million fractures annually.
  It is often called the silent disease because this bone loss occurs 
without any outward symptoms and, of course, 80 percent of all 
osteoporosis occurs in women.
  The quality of life for those affected often takes a downward spiral, 
leaving those who suffer from osteoporosis unable to walk, to stand up 
or even to dress themselves.
  National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month is celebrated 
each May, and becomes a chance for our Nation to become more familiar 
with the effects of this disease, and about the preventable steps that 
we can take to deal with it.
  Unfortunately, too many people are not at all aware that osteoporosis 
can be prevented through diet and exercise, both of which help maintain 
bone density.
  Research clearly shows us that the earlier women think about 
maintaining their bone mass and take the steps to do so, the better 
their health will be in the long run. And you know, these aren't 
difficult steps to take. Proper diet, including calcium, proper 
exercise, are good for very many reasons, but knowing that at the same 
time you are making yourself healthy, you are also preventing 
osteoporosis is an important message to get out to everyone. So I 
encourage the public to take advantage of National Osteoporosis 
Awareness and Prevention Month by speaking to their health care 
providers about their risks, and encouraging health care providers to 
proactively address this subject with their patients.
  I proudly support this resolution, and I encourage my colleagues to 
do the same.
  I now invite my colleague, Ms. Berkley, about whom I was speaking, 
who has now arrived, to speak for as long as she may wish to, 3 minutes 
or whatever.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Congresswoman, 
Mrs. Capps. She is an extraordinary advocate for health care, not only 
for women, but for families, men, everyone in this country, to make it 
a healthier country to live in. And I am so grateful for her, for her 
friendship and for the remarkable mark she has made on this Congress 
and on this country.
  I rise in strong support of House Resolution 265 and ask for its 
immediate passage.
  Mr. Speaker, May was National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention 
Month. Osteoporosis and low bone density affect 44 million Americans 
over the age of 50. It is a disease in which the bones become more 
fragile and prone to breaking. Many of those affected are unaware they 
have osteoporosis and therefore, they are unable to take steps to 
prevent it.
  Like many Americans, I had no idea I was at risk for developing 
osteoporosis. I thought I simply had bad posture. And it never occurred 
to me to be screened for osteoporosis. Yet, when I was running for 
Congress in 1998, I was diagnosed with this disease. Fortunately, 
within 10 months of the diagnosis, with proper treatment, I was able to 
stop my bone loss and my bones actually began to strengthen again.
  My bill will help raise awareness about the prevention and treatment 
of this increasingly common disease and encourage those at risk to have 
a quick and painless bone density test.
  While more Americans than ever before have been diagnosed with 
osteoporosis and are receiving treatment, much more remains to be done 
to raise awareness about the importance of healthy bones.
  Often called the silent disease because it goes undetected in many 
Americans until they actually break a bone, osteoporosis affects more 
than 10 million individuals and an estimated 34 million men and women. 
And yes, Mr. Speaker, men are susceptible to osteoporosis too. They 
suffer from osteoporosis and have low bone mass which places them at an 
increased risk for developing this condition.
  As of 2003, there were an estimated 3.6 million people who have been 
diagnosed with osteoporosis. In my home State of Nevada, over 300,000 
men and women suffer from osteoporosis and low bone mass. One in two 
women, and one in four men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis 
related fracture in their lifetime.
  The consequences of osteoporosis are devastating and very painful. 
Hip fractures, which occur about twice as often in women as men, are 
more serious than people realize. Approximately 20 percent of the hip 
fracture patients over the age of 70 will die in a year after that 
fracture, usually from complications such as pneumonia or blood clots 
in the lungs.
  Prevention, diagnosis and treatment are the keys to tackling 
osteoporosis and as a Nation, we must teach people of all ages how to 
take the necessary steps to keep their bones healthy and strong for a 
lifetime.
  Those at risk who have not yet been tested for osteoporosis need to 
make an appointment with their physician to have a bone density test. 
The exams are quick and they are painless and they can be done in 
conjunction with a regular checkup.
  Because of my personal experience with osteoporosis, I am committed 
to ensuring that my fellow Americans are aware of the importance of 
early detection and prevention. Men and women can reduce their chances 
of developing this disease. I encourage everyone to see their doctor 
and get screened for osteoporosis. It is very silent, but it is a 
deadly disease.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution that will 
increase awareness of this disease. I thank my colleague and dear 
friend, Mrs. Capps, for working with me to ensure that this resolution 
becomes a reality. Thank you very much.

                              {time}  2100

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 265.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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