The Florida Senate

381.87  Osteoporosis prevention and education program.--

(1)  The Department of Health, using available federal funds, state funds appropriated for that purpose, or other available funding as provided for in this section, shall establish, promote, and maintain an osteoporosis prevention and education program to promote public awareness of the causes of osteoporosis, options for prevention, the value of early detection, and possible treatments, including the benefits and risks of those treatments. The department shall consult with medical professionals, including physicians licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, in carrying out these duties. The department may accept, for that purpose, any special grant of money, services, or property from the Federal Government or any of its agencies or from any foundation, organization, or medical school.

(2)  The program must include:

(a)  Development of a public education and outreach campaign to promote osteoporosis prevention and education, including, but not limited to, the following subjects:

1.  The cause and nature of the disease.

2.  Risk factors.

3.  The role of oophorectomy and hysterectomy.

4.  Prevention of osteoporosis, including nutrition, diet, and physical exercise.

5.  Diagnostic procedures and appropriate indications for their use.

6.  Hormone replacement, including benefits and risks.

7.  Environmental safety and injury prevention.

8.  Availability of osteoporosis treatment services in the community.

(b)  Distribution of educational materials to be made available for consumers, particularly targeted to high-risk groups, through local health departments, local physicians, and other providers, including, but not limited to, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, and clinics, and through women's organizations and the Department of Elderly Affairs.

(c)  Development of professional education programs for health care providers to assist them in understanding research findings and the subjects set forth in paragraph (a).

(3)  The Department of Health shall implement this section. The department shall consult with the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Elderly Affairs with respect to the prevention and education activities relating to osteoporosis which are described in this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 96-282; s. 51, ch. 97-237.

Note.--Former s. 402.475.