TCA § 68-1-1503 — Osteoporosis prevention and treatment program — Duties of commissioner and department of health

The commissioner of health may: Assure adequate staffing for implementation of the osteoporosis prevention and treatment education program; Assure appropriate training for osteoporosis prevention and treatment education program staff; Identify the appropriate entities to carry out the program; Base the program on the most up-to-date scientific information and findings; 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; and 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, as described in subdivisions (b)(5)(A) and (B). The department of health may establish, promote and maintain an osteoporosis prevention and treatment education program in order to raise public awareness, educate consumers, educate and train health professionals, teachers and human services providers, and for other purposes. The department shall use, but is not limited to, the following strategies for raising public awareness of the causes and nature of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, value of prevention and early detection and options for diagnosing and treating the disease: An outreach campaign utilizing print, radio and television public service announcements, advertisements, posters and other materials; Community forums; Health information and risk factor assessment at public events; Targeting at-risk populations; Providing reliable information to policy makers; and Distributing information through county health departments, schools, area agencies on aging, employer wellness programs, physicians, hospitals and health maintenance organizations, women's groups, nonprofit organizations, community health agencies, community-based organizations and departmental regional offices. The department shall use, but is not limited to, the following strategies for educating consumers about risk factors, diet and exercise, diagnostic procedures and their indications for use, risks and benefits of drug therapies currently approved by the food and drug administration, environmental safety and injury prevention and the availability of diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services: Identify and obtain educational materials, including brochures and videotapes which translate accurately the latest scientific information on osteoporosis in easy-to-understand terms; Build a statewide capacity to provide information and referral on all aspects of osteoporosis, including educational materials and counseling; Establish state linkage with an existing toll-free hotline for consumers; Facilitate the development and maintenance of osteoporosis support groups; and Conduct workshops and seminars for lay audiences. The department shall use, but is not limited to, the following strategies for educating physicians and health professionals and training community service providers on 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: Identify and obtain education materials for the professional that translate the latest scientific and medical information into clinical applications; Raise awareness among physicians and health and human services professionals as to the importance of osteoporosis prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation; Identify and use available curricula for training health and human service providers and community leaders on osteoporosis prevention, detection and treatment; Provide workshops and seminars for in-depth professional development in the field of the care and management of the patient with osteoporosis; and Conduct a statewide conference on osteoporosis at appropriate intervals. The department shall conduct a needs assessment study to identify: Research being conducted within the state; Available technical assistance and educational materials and programs nationwide; The level of public and professional awareness about osteoporosis; Needs of osteoporosis patients, their families and caregivers; Needs of health care providers, including physicians, nurses, managed care organizations and other health care providers; 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 study, the department shall develop and maintain a list of osteoporosis-related services and osteoporosis health care providers with specialization in services to prevent, diagnose and treat osteoporosis. This list shall be disseminated with a description of diagnostic testing procedures, appropriate indications for their use, drug therapies currently approved by the food and drug administration and a cautionary statement about the current status of osteoporosis research, prevention and treatment. The statement shall also indicate that the department does not license, certify or in any way approve osteoporosis programs or centers in the state. The department may replicate and use successful osteoporosis programs and enter into contracts and/or purchase materials or services from organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of osteoporosis for such services and materials as, but not limited to, the following: Educational information and materials on the causes, prevention, detection, treatment and management of osteoporosis; Training of staff; Physician and health care professional education and training, and clinical conferences; Conference organization and staffing; Regional office development and staffing; Nominations for advisory panels; Support group development; Consultation; Resource library facilities; Training home health aides and nursing home personnel; and Training teachers. The department may enter into an agreement or agreements to work with a national organization or organizations with expertise in osteoporosis to establish and staff an office or offices of that organization in the state to implement parts of the osteoporosis program.