MS SC651

Designates September 2016 as "Pain Awareness Month" in Mississippi to raise awareness about chronic pain affecting over 100 million American adults.

Acknowledges that chronic pain costs America up to $635 billion annually in health care costs and lost productivity, with significant impacts on state Medicaid expenses.

References the 2011 Institute of Medicine report "Relieving Pain in America" and its findings that better pain management could reduce workers' compensation costs, lost tax revenues, and opioid abuse.

Directs appropriate state government agencies to examine how Mississippi can improve citizen health and productivity while reducing personal and government health expenditures by implementing Institute of Medicine recommendations.

Requires transmission of the resolution to the State Board of Health for distribution and availability to the Capitol Press Corps.