|
|
|
 |
|
1232
22nd Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.
20037-1202
(202) 223.2226
1 (800) 231.4222 |
|
|
|
 |
Advocacy
Make
a
Difference |
|
|
|
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Learn How Your Voice Can
Impact Public Policy
Advocacy allows individuals and
groups to be heard by their members
of Congress and to truly make a
difference. As a member of the
National Osteoporosis Foundation
Bone Health Advocacy Network, you
will contribute to our mission of
preventing osteoporosis, reducing
fractures, promoting lifelong bone
health, and finding a cure for
osteoporosis. Please join us!
See the
Join the Bone Health Advocacy
Network Web page for
more details.
As the nation’s only voluntary
health agency solely focused on
osteoporosis and bone health, the
National Osteoporosis Foundation
(NOF) is the leader in efforts to
advance osteoporosis to the top of
the nation’s health care agenda. We
have successfully standardized
coverage of
Bone Mineral Density tests
by Medicare for at-risk
individuals. But, there is still
work to be done. Medicare coverage
needs to be expanded to include
those who have experienced a bone
fracture and coverage for bone
mineral density tests needs to be
standardized for women and men under
65. Increased funding for
osteoporosis research, prevention,
and access to osteoporosis care are
top advocacy priorities for NOF.
We need your help to get this
message to policy makers - you can
make a difference.
The NOF message to Congress and
state houses is simple and powerful:
-
Osteoporosis is a growing public
health epidemic and policy
makers can take positive actions
to help end this disease.
-
Osteoporosis and low bone mass
are currently estimated to be a
major public health threat for
almost 44 million US women and
men age 50 and older.
-
A women’s risk of hip fracture
is equal to her combined risk of
breast, uterine and ovarian
cancer.
-
The direct medical costs for the
more than 1.5 million
osteoporosis-related fractures
can cost as much as $18 billion
per year (in 2002 dollars) –
with initial treatment of each
hip fracture averaging from
$30,100- $43,400 in medical
costs.
|
|
