Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General

Appendix A: Congressional Language Calling for Surgeon General’s Report

November 29, 2001

House Labor Report

Osteoporosis is a major health threat for more than 28 million Americans, 80% of whom are women. In 2001, 10 million individuals have already developed the disease. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures annually and is second leading cause of nursing home admissions in the U.S. The Committee urges the Surgeon General to consider issuing a Report to the Nation on the status of research and education on osteoporosis and related bone disease and setting forth an action plan to comprehensively address the urgent need to reverse the increasing toll of this disease.

Senate Labor Report

Report on osteoporosis and related bone diseases. More than 30 million Americans suffer from some form of bone disease, including osteoporosis, Paget’s disease and osteogenesis imperfecta. The Committee therefore recommends that the Department commission a Surgeon General’s report on osteoporosis and related bone diseases, detailing the burden bone diseases places on society, and highlighting preventive measures to improve and maintain bone health throughout life. The report should also identify best practices for collecting data about the prevalence, morbidity and disability associated with bone diseases among minority populations.

Published: October 14, 2004

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