Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2002 Session > Title 44

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SECTION 44-125-10. Short title.

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

SECTION 44-125-20. Establishment of Osteoporosis Education Fund; purpose.

(A) There is established the Osteoporosis Education Fund, separate and distinct from the general fund, in the State Treasury and to be administered by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The purpose of the fund is to promote public awareness, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis.

(B) All funds received by the department for the Osteoporosis Education Fund must be deposited with the State Treasurer. Earnings on the funds must be credited to the fund. Funds remaining in the account for the fund at the end of the fiscal year may be carried forward by the fund.

SECTION 44-125-30. Establishment of Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Program; functions.

To implement the purposes of the fund the department may establish an Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Program and if funds are available and received from the Osteoporosis Education Fund may:

(1) conduct a statewide needs assessment to identify:

(a) available technical assistance and educational materials and programs nationwide;

(b) the level of public and professional awareness about osteoporosis;

(c) the needs of osteoporosis patients and of their families and caregivers;

(d) needs of health care providers;

(e) the services available to osteoporosis patients;

(f) existence of osteoporosis treatment programs;

(g) existence of osteoporosis support groups;

(h) existence of osteoporosis rehabilitation services;

(i) number and location of bone density testing equipment.

(2) design and implement strategies for raising public awareness of the causes and nature of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, the value of prevention and early detection, and options for diagnosing and treating osteoporosis;

(3) develop and work with other state and local agencies in presenting educational programs for physicians and other health professionals on the most up-to-date, accurate scientific and medical information on osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and therapeutic decision-making including, but not limited to, guidelines for detecting and treating the disease in special populations, risks and benefits of medications, and research advances; and

(4) 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.

SECTION 44-125-40. Staffing; training of staff; improvement of community-based services; maximization of state resources.

Additionally, the department, in carrying out its responsibilities under this chapter, and if funds are available and received from the Osteoporosis Education Fund, may:

(1) employ qualified staff to implement the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Program established by Section 44-125-30;

(2) provide appropriate training for staff of the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Program;

(3) work to improve the capacity of community-based services available to osteoporosis patients;

(4) work with other state and local 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 education, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis;

(5) 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.