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SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SJM-39 proposes to recognize the years 2001 through 2010 as the "Bone and Joint Decade"

Significant Issue

Musculoskeletal conditions:

• •Cost $215,000,000.0 per year.
• •Rank as the number one medical affliction for both men and women.
• •Deprive children of normal development.

SJM-39 acknowledges that:

• •Carrie Tingley hospital has provided superior health care to children suffering from

musculoskeletal impairments.

• •Musculoskeletal research is on the cusp of breakthroughs which will simplify the way bone disorders are treated.
• •Many countries have joined together to recognize the decade as the "Bone and Joint Decade".

SJM-39 requests that the memorial be transmitted to the NM orthopaedic society and Carrie Tingley hospital as expression of appreciation.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The following are selected statistical highlights from Musculoskeletal Conditions in the U.S., published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, Ill., 1999:

· Musculoskeletal conditions rank number 1 in:

o visits to physicians' offices

o impairments associated with disabilities

· Approximately 1 in every 7 Americans has a musculoskeletal impairment.

· The number of persons incurring musculoskeletal injuries numbers 28.6 million annually-accounting for more than ˝ of all injuries in one year.

· Musculoskeletal conditions and injuries account for more than 3 million hospitalizations annually.

· Musculoskeletal conditions and injuries account for 130.7 million visits to physicians' offices and hospital outpatient and emergency departments every year.

· More than 5.7 million hospitalizations or patient visits result in 7.3 million musculoskeletal procedures performed by physicians every year.

· Arthritis is the leading chronic condition reported by the elderly.

· Back or spine impairments are the most prevalent musculoskeletal impairments.

· Sprains or dislocations and fractures account for almost one-half of all musculoskeletal injuries.

· As the U.S. population ages, musculoskeletal impairments will increase 30 % because they are most prevalent in the older segments of the population.

BD/njw