SR251: SR251 Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month; recognize May 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a symbolic statement from the Georgia Senate that designates May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The bill's preamble cites statistics on osteoporosis, including that an estimated 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass, and that in Georgia over 48,000 Medicare beneficiaries suffered more than 56,400 osteoporosis-related fractures in 2016. The resolution explains that osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because bone weakening cannot be felt, and that a fracture is often the first sign. It notes that diet, exercise, and healthy habits can help prevent the disease. The only operative actions are the Senate's formal recognition of the month and a directive for the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally recognizes May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month through a Georgia Senate resolution.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Cites statistics on osteoporosis rates, fractures, and Medicare costs in Georgia and nationally without creating any new program or funding.
• Creates no new legal requirements, penalties, or state funding, since it is a nonbinding statement rather than a change to Georgia law.

The resolution is largely symbolic and does not impose duties on the public. It touches the Secretary of the Senate, who must distribute copies, and it is aimed at raising awareness among the public, health professionals, and Georgia policymakers about osteoporosis.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not change how osteoporosis is diagnosed, treated, or funded in Georgia. Its main effect is to draw public and legislative attention to bone health and the costs of osteoporosis-related fractures.

• The preamble (whereas clauses) presents statistics on osteoporosis prevalence, fractures, and Medicare costs nationally and in Georgia.
• The resolved clause formally designates May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-26Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-24Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)Primary sponsor
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)

• osteoporosis
• bone health
• Medicare costs
• public health awareness
• Georgia Senate resolutions