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COMMITTEE REPORT
February 11, 1999
S. 252
S. Printed 2/11/99--S.
Read the first time January 12, 1999.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 252), to request the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control to study the effect of obesity, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
THOMAS L. MOORE, for Committee.
TO REQUEST THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF OBESITY IN BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN ON COSTLY HEALTH COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, HEART DISEASE, AND STROKES AND OTHER HEALTH COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN, TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM OF OBESITY AND SUGGESTED TREATMENT MODALITIES, AND TO REPORT THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE CONVENING OF THE 2000 REGULAR SESSION.
Whereas, a causal relationship exists between obesity and a number of serious disorders, including hypertension, dyalipidemia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes (type two), gallbladder disease, respiratory dysfunction, gout, and osteoarthritis; and
Whereas, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases indicates that nearly eighty percent of patients with diabetes mellitus are obese and the incidence of symptomatic gallstones soars as a person's body mass index increases beyond a certain level; and
Whereas, nearly seventy percent of diagnosed cases of cardiovascular disease are related to obesity, and obesity more than doubles a person's chances of developing high blood pressure, and almost half of breast cancer cases are diagnosed among obese women, and forty-two percent of colon cancer cases are among obese individuals; and
Whereas, obesity ranks second only to smoking as a preventable cause of death and results in some three hundred thousand deaths annually; and
Whereas, it is estimated that thirty-five percent of the adult population is obese and the prevalence of obesity grew a shocking thirty-four percent during the past ten years; and
Whereas, a 1997 study by Kaiser Permanente indicated that the total direct costs of obesity-related diseases in the United States in 1990 was $45.8 billion; and
Whereas, the Kaiser study concluded that there is a significant potential for a reduction in health care expenditures through obesity prevention efforts; and
Whereas, there is an urgent need for state health care groups and medical societies to place obesity at the top of their health care agendas; and
Whereas, many physicians do not treat obesity because they mistakenly believe there is no treatment for it; and
Whereas, the National Institute of Health, the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, and the American Obesity Association recommend that patients who are morbidly obese receive responsible, affordable medical treatment for their obesity; and
Whereas, the diagnosis of morbid obesity should be a clinical decision made by a physician based on proper medical protocols; and
Whereas, the recent breakthroughs in drug therapy can treat obesity successfully and the New England Journal of Medicine recently emphasized the legitimate use of pharmacotherapy as a component of treatment of medically significant obesity; and
Whereas, the new breakthroughs in obesity treatment are not widely known and efforts must be made to inform the general public and health care professionals that pharmacotherapy can be used as an effective and cost-effective treatment for obesity; and
Whereas, there is also great concern regarding what effect obesity in children may have on overall health in children, health care costs for children, and treatment modalities to address the problem of obesity in children; and
Whereas, a study conducted by the Department of Health and Environmental Control is critical to raise the awareness of the public and private sectors that obesity is a disease of epidemic proportions that is treatable and that proper treatment will reduce health care costs and improve the quality of life for a large number of our citizens. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, requests the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control to study the effect of obesity in both adults and children on costly health complications such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke and other health complications in children, to make recommendations for improvement in awareness of the problem of obesity and suggested treatment modalities, and to report the findings of the study and recommendations to the General Assembly before the convening of the 2000 regular session.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
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