MCA Chapter 93

in effect

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-93-1 Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the “Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Act.”

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-93-3 Purposes of chapter.

The purposes of this chapter are: To create a statewide program to promote public awareness and knowledge about the causes of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, the value of prevention and early detection and the options available for treatment; To enhance knowledge and understanding of osteoporosis by disseminating educational materials, information about research results, services and strategies for prevention and treatment to patients, health professionals and the public; To help provide easy access to clear, complete and accurate osteoporosis information and referral services; To heighten awareness about the prevention, detection and treatment of osteoporosis among state and local health and human service officials, health educators and policy makers; and To promote the development of support groups for osteoporosis patients and their families and caregivers.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-93-5 Powers of State Department of Health.

The State Department of Health may: Add sufficient qualified staff to implement the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Program established by Section 41-93-7; Provide appropriate training for staff of the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Program; Work to improve the capacity of community-based services available to osteoporosis patients; Work with governmental offices, community and business leaders, community organizations, health care and human service providers and national osteoporosis organizations to coordinate efforts and maximize state resources in the areas of prevention, education and treatment of osteoporosis; Identify and, when appropriate, replicate or use successful osteoporosis programs and procure related materials and services from organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of osteoporosis.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-93-7 Additional powers of State Department of Health.

The State Department of Health may establish, maintain and promote an osteoporosis prevention and treatment education program in order to raise public awareness, educate consumers and educate health professionals and teachers, and for other purposes, as provided in this section. The department may design and implement strategies for raising public awareness on the causes and nature of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, value of prevention and early detection and options for diagnosing and treating the disease. The department may develop and work with other agencies in presenting educational programs for physicians and other health professionals in the most up-to-date, accurate scientific and medical information on osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment, therapeutic decision-making, including guidelines for detecting and treating the disease in special populations, risks and benefits of medications and research advances. The department may conduct a needs assessment to identify: Available technical assistance and educational materials and programs nationwide; The level of public and professional awareness about osteoporosis; The needs of osteoporosis patients, their families and caregivers; Needs of health-care providers, including physicians, nurses, managed care organizations and other health-care providers; The services available to osteoporosis patients; Existence of osteoporosis treatment programs; Existence of osteoporosis support groups; Existence of rehabilitation services; and Number and location of bone density testing equipment. Based on the needs assessment conducted under subsection (4) of this section, the department may develop, maintain and make available a list of osteoporosis-related services and osteoporosis health-care providers with specialization in services to prevent, diagnose and treat osteoporosis.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-93-9 Department may accept grants, etc.; maximization of federal funds.

The department may accept grants, services and property from the federal government, foundations, organizations, medical schools and other entities as may be available for the purposes of fulfilling the obligations of this program. The department shall seek any federal waiver or waivers that may be necessary to maximize funds from the federal government to implement this program.