[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2678]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MOVEMENT IS LIFE

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                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2011

  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, arthritis is the number one cause of 
disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC, and 
among the leading reasons for doctor visits and missed work. In 
addition, the CDC finds that arthritis costs $128 billion annually in 
medical costs and lost wages. In September 2010, a national summit on 
arthritis and musculoskeletal health disparities, ``Movement is Life,'' 
was held in Bethesda, Maryland. The summit facilitated a national 
dialogue about musculoskeletal health disparities among women and the 
largest racial/ethnic minority groups, African Americans and Latinos. 
The findings of ``Movement is Life'' show that women, African 
Americans, and Latinos face more severe osteoarthritis and disability 
but receive less than optimal access to diagnostic, medical, and 
surgical intervention than other demographic groups. These 
disadvantaged communities also face significant health disparities in 
chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. By 
promoting early intervention, ``Movement is Life'' hopes to slow 
musculoskeletal disease progression, reduce disability, and encourage 
physical activity and daily movement to improve the overall health of 
the Nation.

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