1.1A Senate resolution
1.2designating May 2024 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in
1.3Minnesota.
1.4WHEREAS, an estimated 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass, and studies
1.5suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone
1.6due to osteoporosis; and
1.7WHEREAS, approximately 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries suffer approximately 2.1 million
1.8osteoporotic fractures a year and osteoporosis-related bone fractures are responsible for more hospitalizations
1.9than heart attacks, strokes, or breast cancer; and
1.10WHEREAS, the total annual cost for osteoporotic fractures among Medicare beneficiaries was $57
1.11billion in 2018 and without reforms is expected to grow to over $95 billion in 2040 as the population ages;
1.12and
1.13WHEREAS, in Minnesota, over 29,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered over 34,200 osteoporotic
1.14fractures in 2016 and an estimated 2,500 Minnesotans on Medicare suffered not just an initial fracture but
1.15also a subsequent fracture resulting in estimated costs of over $54.9 million; and
1.16WHEREAS, osteoporosis and the broken bones it can cause are not part of normal aging. Building
1.17strong bones begins in childhood and is essential to the prevention of osteoporosis care for our bones is
1.18important throughout our lives, but we reach our peak bone mass by early adulthood; and
1.19WHEREAS, optimum bone health and prevention of osteoporosis can be maximized by a balanced
1.20diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, and a healthy lifestyle
1.21with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake; and
1.22WHEREAS, osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because one can't feel bones weakening.
1.23Breaking a bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis. Timely bone health screening, diagnosis, and treatment
1.24can help prevent fractures leading to hospitalization and nursing home stays; and
1.25WHEREAS, cost-effective post-fracture care that improves care coordination has been demonstrated
1.26to reduce the number of subsequent or repeat fractures, yet is not widely available or properly incentivized
1.27by Medicare; and
1.28WHEREAS, it is crucial that we raise awareness about bone health and osteoporosis among the
1.29public, health professionals, and policy makers; and
1.30NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes
1.31May 2024 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month and encourages observation of appropriate
1.32good health programs and activities with respect to promoting good bone health through the lifetime and
1.33preventing and controlling osteoporosis.
1.34BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.35copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.36Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation.

Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate

Erin P. MurphyChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Alice MannState Senator, District 50