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Through
educational policy briefings and
meetings, NOF aims to raise
awareness of the prevalence and
burden of osteoporosis and the
need for increased research,
expanded education, and greater
access to affordable, quality
health care.
During May,
National Osteoporosis Awareness
and Prevention month, NOF hosted
the “Healthy Bones; Health Life”
congressional briefing with the
Society for Women’s Health
Research. The event helped raise
awareness of osteoporosis and
NOF public policy priorities.
Actress Sally Field, NOF
President Ethel Siris, MD, and
NOF Scientific Advisory Council
Member Laura Tosi, MD addressed
more than 120 attendees.
Sally Field shared how her life
has changed since being
diagnosed with osteoporosis. In
her message to Congress, she
said: “I urge them to look after
themselves. Two-thirds of the
women in Congress are over 50.
We need them to stay healthy so
they can go home and talk to
their constituents about this
important issue.”
Representative Shelley Berkley
(Nevada) and Senator Lisa
Murkowski (Alaska) conveyed
their stories with members,
staff, and health professionals
who attended the briefing.
Representative Berkley’s
involvement with osteoporosis
began shortly after she was
diagnosed with the disease. Her
personal experience since
diagnosis and treatment has
encouraged her to raise
awareness and seek solutions for
the burden of osteoporosis at
the congressional level. At the
briefing, Representative Berkley
presented NOF with a signed copy
of the legislative resolution
she introduced in the House of
Representatives advocating for
the goals of National
Osteoporosis Awareness and
Prevention Month. Similarly,
Senator Murkowski’s recent bone
mineral density scan raised her
personal awareness about bone
health and the importance of
osteoporosis prevention. Senator
Murkowski emphasized that
osteoporosis is both “beatable
and treatable.”
Ethel Siris, M.D., President of
the National Osteoporosis
Foundation, spoke about
protecting and strengthening
bones at all ages. “During May,
National Osteoporosis Awareness
and Prevention Month, we are
reminded that osteoporosis is a
beatable and treatable disease,
yet it remains a major public
health threat for more than half
of all Americans over age 50,”
said Dr. Siris. “Since peak bone
mass typically occurs between
the ages of 18 and 25. It is
important for individuals to
build strong bones through
weight-bearing and resistance
exercise and good nutrition,
including adequate calcium and
vitamin D. As a nation and as
individuals, we can work to
reverse the impact of this
disease and prevent it for
future generations.”
NOF Leadership Spring
Congressional Outreach
The National Osteoporosis
Foundation has been actively
advocating for osteoporosis
treatment and coverage on
Capitol Hill. In March, NOF
President Ethel Siris, MD,
Executive Director, Leo
Schargarodski, and Senior
Director of Public Policy and
Government Relations Roberta
Biegel, visited several Members
of Congress.
A major topic of discussion was
Medicare coverage and
reimbursement. The group met
with several Members of
Congress, including cosponsors
of H.R. 1293, “Access to
Medicare Imaging Act”, which
would delay cuts in Medicare
reimbursement for bone density
scans.
Click here to read more about
this issue and get involved in
NOF advocacy!
The NOF delegation also visited
Senator Olympia Snowe, who had
been awarded NOF’s 2006 Paul G.
Rogers Leadership Award. The
award honors an individual who
has made great advancement in
promoting osteoporosis as a
critical public health issue.
Senator Snowe was recognized for
her commitment to the nation’s
health and to the field of bone
health and osteoporosis
research. In recent years,
Senator Snowe has introduced
legislation to improve access to
diagnosis and treatment as well
as increase awareness for
osteoporosis.
In June, NOF wrapped up its
spring outreach to Capitol Hill
by participating in the
Biotechnology Industry
Organization’s briefing,
“Improving the Lives of People
with Osteoporosis, and Providing
Hope for a Better Future.” NOF
Clinical Director, Felicia
Cosman, MD spoke about the
prevalence and burden of
osteoporosis as well as on
pending legislation that could
improve access to quality
diagnosis by placing a
moratorium on reductions in
Medicare reimbursement for bone
density tests. These tests help
diagnose and treat osteoporosis
as well as prevent fractures. (Click
here to read more about the
“Access to Medicare Imaging Act”).
Dr. Cosman served on a panel
with Joseph Flood, MD and Ginger
Constantine, MD to offer the
physician perspective on an
osteoporosis patient’s quality
of life, the impact of the
disease and the urgent need for
early treatment and detection.
The panel provided attendees,
including congressional staff,
with an overview of
osteoporosis, treatment, and
innovative new therapies.
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