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SR 251

Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month; recognize May 2025

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tonya Anderson and 15 co-sponsors

Senate Resolution 251 designates May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness Month, aiming to educate the public on prevention and promote healthy bone practices for millions affected.

Senate Read and Adopted
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Bill Summary · SR 251

Summary of Senate Resolution 251

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: SR 251
  • Title: Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month; recognize May 2025
  • Status: Senate Read and Adopted
  • Introduced: February 24, 2025
  • Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

Senate Resolution 251 aims to officially recognize May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The resolution seeks to raise public awareness about osteoporosis, a condition that affects millions of Americans, particularly older adults, and emphasizes the importance of bone health and preventive measures.

Key Provisions

  • Recognition of Osteoporosis Impact:

    • An estimated 54 million Americans are affected by osteoporosis or low bone mass.
    • Approximately 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men aged 50 and older are likely to experience a bone fracture due to osteoporosis.

  • Healthcare Statistics:

    • 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries experience around 2.1 million osteoporosis-related fractures annually.
    • Osteoporosis-related fractures lead to more hospitalizations than heart attacks, strokes, or breast cancer.
    • The annual cost of osteoporosis-related fractures among Medicare beneficiaries was $57 billion in 2018, projected to exceed $95 billion by 2040 without reforms.

  • Georgia-Specific Data:

    • In Georgia, over 48,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered more than 56,400 osteoporosis-related fractures in 2016.
    • An estimated 7,000 Georgians on Medicare experienced both initial and subsequent fractures, costing over $131 million.

  • Awareness and Prevention:

    • The resolution highlights that osteoporosis is often a "silent disease," with fractures being the first noticeable sign.
    • It advocates for timely bone health screening, diagnosis, and treatment to prevent fractures.
    • Emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle to maintain bone health.

Impact

The resolution is intended to:
- Raise Awareness: Increase public knowledge about osteoporosis and its prevention.
- Encourage Healthy Practices: Promote lifestyle changes that contribute to better bone health.
- Influence Policy: Urge health professionals and policymakers to prioritize osteoporosis care and prevention strategies.

Procedural Aspects

  • The resolution was read and adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2025, shortly after its introduction.
  • The Secretary of the Senate is tasked with distributing copies of the resolution to the public and the press to further promote awareness.

By recognizing May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, SR 251 aims to foster a greater understanding of osteoporosis and encourage proactive measures to combat this significant health issue.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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