GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1226

Short Title:  Osteoporosis Awareness/Educ. Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Perdue and Purcell.

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Referred to:  Finance.

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May 15, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION.
Whereas, osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass that increases bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture, poses a public health hazard to over 1,000,000 North Carolinians age 50 and over; and
Whereas, each year more than 13,500 North Carolinians are hospitalized for hip fractures alone resulting in more than $145 million in direct medical costs; and
Whereas, osteoporosis currently has no cure, and most people, including physicians, health care providers, and government agencies continue to lack knowledge in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment which can greatly reduce the progression of the disease; and
Whereas, increased awareness and prevention created by education efforts will help decrease the devastating effects of osteoporosis; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to promote education and support for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis among the public, physicians, nurses, educators, allied health professionals, and other human service professionals.
Section 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2000.