A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to support osteoporosis education in north carolina.
Whereas, osteoporosis is a disease characterized by thinning bones, leading to bone fragility and increased risk of fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist; and
Whereas, osteoporosis progresses typically undiagnosed until a bone fractures, and once this occurs, osteoporosis is already so advanced that there is a high risk of additional fractures; and
Whereas, osteoporosis has no cure, and, therefore the key is to prevent it or at least treat it early on to significantly reduce its associated morbidity, mortality, and health care costs; and
Whereas, osteoporosis is a public health problem threatening the health and quality of life of more than 1.27 million North Carolinians age 50 and older; and
Whereas, in North Carolina it is estimated that at least $455 million were spent in 2000 in medical costs for people with at least 34,355 osteoporotic fractures, and this cost is expected to increase to $797 million for 60,547 fractures by 2025; and
Whereas, one of two women and one of eight men over age 50 will suffer at least one osteoporotic fracture; and
Whereas, health care providers and citizens of North Carolina lack adequate knowledge in the prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis; and
Whereas, educating the health professionals and the public can lead to prevention altogether and early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and lessen associated costs; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Osteoporosis Foundation, a nonprofit organization, the sum of seventy‑five thousand dollars ($75,000) for the 2009‑2010 fiscal year and the sum of seventy‑five thousand dollars ($75,000) for the 2010‑2011 fiscal year to fund osteoporosis education in North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.