Georgia CommonsSR 251: Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month; recognize May 2025
Last action February 26, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, highlighting bone health risks and costs for older Georgians on Medicare.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in Georgia. The resolution cites statistics on osteoporosis, including that about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass, and that Georgia Medicare beneficiaries suffered tens of thousands of osteoporosis-related fractures and over $131 million in related costs. It states that osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because bone weakening cannot be felt until a fracture occurs. The Senate resolves to designate the month for awareness purposes and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
What the bill does
- Formally designates May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in the Georgia Senate.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
- Does not create any new law, funding, program, or requirement; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate.
Who it affects
The resolution mainly speaks to the general public, health professionals, and policymakers in Georgia, with specific attention to older Georgians and Medicare beneficiaries who face higher risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.
Why it matters
While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly highlights the health and financial toll of osteoporosis among older Georgians on Medicare, potentially raising public and policymaker attention to bone health screening and prevention.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses cite national and Georgia-specific statistics on osteoporosis prevalence, fractures, and Medicare costs.
- The resolving clause recognizes May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because one cannot feel bones weakening. Breaking a bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis.”
“the members of this body recognize May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- 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)
Topics
- osteoporosis
- bone health
- Medicare costs
- public health awareness