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Ch. 444
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2002 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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Preamble
WHEREAS, Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major public health
problem that poses a threat to the health and quality of life to as many as 25 million
Americans; and
WHEREAS, The 1.5 million fractures each year that result from osteoporosis
cause pain, disability, immobility, and social isolation, affecting quality of life and
threatening the ability to live independently; and
WHEREAS, Because osteoporosis progresses silently and without sensation
over many years, and many cases remain undiagnosed, its first symptom is often a
fracture, typically of the hip, spine, or wrist; and
WHEREAS, One of two women and one of five men will suffer an osteoporosis
fracture in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, A woman's risk of hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of
breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer; and
WHEREAS, The annual direct and indirect costs of osteoporosis to the health
care system are estimated to have been as high as $18 billion in 1993, and are
expected to rise to $60-$80 billion by the year 2020; and
WHEREAS, Since osteoporosis progresses silently and currently has no cure,
prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment are key to reducing the prevalence of and
devastation from this disease; and
WHEREAS, Although there exists a large quantity of public information about
osteoporosis, it remains inadequately disseminated and not tailored to meet the needs
of specific population groups; and
WHEREAS, Most people, including physicians, health care providers, and
government agencies, continue to lack knowledge in the prevention, detection, and
treatment of the disease; and
WHEREAS, Experts in the field of osteoporosis believe that with greater
awareness of the value of prevention among medical experts, service providers, and
the public, osteoporosis will be preventable and treatable in the future, thereby
reducing the costs of long-term care; and
WHEREAS, Osteoporosis is a multigenerational issue because building strong
bones during youth and preserving them during adulthood may prevent fractures in
later life; and
WHEREAS, Educating the public and health care community throughout the
State about this potentially devastating disease is of paramount importance and is in
every respect in the public interest and to the benefit of all residents of the State; now,
therefore,
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
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- 3644 -
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