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Ch. 215
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2002 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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Article - Health - General
Subtitle 5. [Advisory Counsel on] Arthritis [and Related Diseases] PREVENTION
AND CONTROL ACT.
13-501.
THE ARTHRITIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM IN THE
DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS, EDUCATING
CONSUMERS, AND EDUCATING AND TRAINING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS,
AND PROVIDERS ABOUT ARTHRITIS.
[13-501.] 13-502.
(A) In this subtitle[,] THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.
(B) "Advisory Council" means the State Advisory Council on Arthritis and
Related Diseases.
(C) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE ARTHRITIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL
PROGRAM.
13-503.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:
(1) ARTHRITIS ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN 100 DISEASES AND
CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT JOINTS, THE SURROUNDING TISSUES, AND OTHER
CONNECTIVE TISSUES;
(2) AS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FAMILY OF DISEASES IN THE UNITED
STATES, ARTHRITIS AFFECTS NEARLY ONE OF EVERY SIX AMERICANS AND WILL
IMPACT AN ESTIMATED 60,000,000 PEOPLE BY THE YEAR 2020;
(3) ARTHRITIS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY IN THE UNITED
STATES, LIMITING DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR MORE THAN 7,000,000 PEOPLE.
(4) ALTHOUGH PREVAILING MYTHS INACCURATELY PORTRAY
ARTHRITIS AS AN OLD PERSON'S DISEASE, ARTHRITIS IS A MULTIGENERATIONAL
DISEASE THAT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST PRESSING HEALTH
PROBLEMS;
(5) ARTHRITIS HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING THE PAINFUL SYMPTOMS AND FOR THE FAMILY
MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS PROVIDING FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL;
(6) THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TREATING
ARTHRITIS AND THE COMPLICATIONS OF ARTHRITIS ARE ESTIMATED AT ALMOST
$80,000,000,000 ANNUALLY;
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