III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 535 

Recognizing the goals and ideals of the Movement is Life Caucus. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 1, 2012 

Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. CHAMBLISS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the goals and ideals of the Movement is Life 

Caucus. 

Whereas arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the 

United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affecting 50,000,000 Americans, and 

among the leading reasons for doctors’ visits and missed 

work; 

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

finds that in 2003 arthritis cost the United States economy $128,000,000,000 annually in medical costs and lost 

wages; 

Whereas 27,000,000 Americans suffer from osteoarthritis 

(the most common form of arthritis) and almost 80 percent have some degree of movement limitation; 


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•SRES 535 IS 

Whereas the onset of chronic joint pain and osteoarthritis can 

lead to disability and a loss of personal independence; 

Whereas, women along with African-Americans and Latinos, 

the two largest racial and ethnic minority groups in the 

United States, face more severe osteoarthritis and disability, yet receive less than optimal access to diagnostic, 

medical, and surgical intervention than do other groups; 

Whereas women and minorities experiencing chronic diseases 

(such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease (all medical 

conditions positively impacted by physical activity)) 

struggle disproportionately with undiagnosed and diagnosed osteoarthritis; 

Whereas there is a lack of awareness about the connection 

between musculoskeletal health disparities, increasing 

physical inactivity levels and disparities in diabetes, obesity, and heart disease among women, African-Americans 

and Latinos, which have a significant impact on increasing health care costs and workforce productivity; 

Whereas the first Movement is Life National Summit in September 2010 facilitated a national dialogue among stakeholders engaged in the continuum of care of women, African-Americans, and Latinos, about musculoskeletal 

health disparities; 

Whereas the National Movement is Life Work Group Caucus 

has been established and the third annual meeting will be 

held this September 16–18, 2012 in Washington, DC; 

Whereas the National Movement is Life Work Group Caucus 

will facilitate the development of action plans to help reduce musculoskeletal health disparities; and 

Whereas the National Movement is Life Work Group Caucus 

seeks to promote early intervention, slow musculoskeletal 


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•SRES 535 IS 

disease progression, reduce disability, and encourage 

physical activity and daily movement in order to improve 

the health of those currently disadvantaged as well as the 

overall health of the nation: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the musculoskeletal health dis3 parities present among women, African-Americans, 

4 and Latinos; 

5 (2) acknowledges the dangers posed to these 

6 populations, from rising inactivity levels and the im7 pact on increased risk of chronic diseases such as di8 abetes, obesity, and heart disease; 

9 (3) seeks to raise public awareness in these 

10 communities about osteoarthritis and the importance 

11 of early intervention; 

12 (4) encourages physical activity and daily move13 ment, in order to limit the exasperation of related 

14 chronic diseases and loss of independence; and 

15 (5) commends the Movement is Life National 

16 Caucus for its efforts in creating a dialogue which 

17 draws attention to these health disparities which 

18 continue to impact our national economy and many 

19 lives around the country. 

Æ 


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