House Passes Berkley Bill Expressing Support for Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment

(Washington, DC -- June 7, 2006) The U.S. House of Representatives last evening passed legislation authored by U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV) recognizing the importance of efforts to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Berkley’s resolution, H. RES. 265, expresses the support of the House for the goals and ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month (which takes place in May) and urges the people of the United States to observe appropriate programs and activities with respect to osteoporosis, including talking with their health care professionals about their bone health.

"While osteoporosis awareness month ended in May, it is important that we continue to remind people of all ages every single day about the simple steps they can take to make sure their bones stay strong and healthy for life,” said Berkley. “Nevadans and all Americans can reduce their chances of developing this debilitating disease and I encourage everyone to see their doctor and get screened for osteoporosis.”

Berkley, who has been actively treating her own osteoporosis since first being diagnosed in 1998, has sought to bring greater attention to the problem through her role in Congress and by highlighting her own personal experiences with the disease. Last week, Berkley was screened by a physician in Las Vegas and given an evaluation of her own bone health, including the effectiveness of her osteoporosis treatment regimen.

"Prevention, diagnosis and treatment are the keys to tackling osteoporosis, and by sharing my own experiences, I hope to encourage others Nevadans to schedule their own screenings and to take the steps necessary to prevent bone loss, including proper diet and exercise,” said Berkley.

Often called the “silent disease” because it goes undetected in many Americans, osteoporosis affects more than 10 million individuals, and an estimated 34 million men and women have low bone mass, which places them at an increased risk for developing this condition. Osteoporosis causes bones to thin and become brittle, increasing the risk of injury.

"The best defense against osteoporosis is prevention, but many people do not even know they have osteoporosis until they fracture a hip, spine or wrist,” she said. “With the right tools and information, those at risk can take the necessary preventive measures to slow or stop bone loss, increase bone density, and reduce the risk of fractures.

Osteoporosis and low bone density affect 44 million Americans over the age of 50. It is a disease in which the bones become more fragile and prone to breaking. As of 2003, there were an estimated 3.6 million people who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis. In my home State of Nevada, over 300,000 men and women suffer from osteoporosis and low bone mass. One in 2 women and 1 in 4 men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime.

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