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Strong Voices for Strong Bones
Advocacy Training Meeting in Tempe, Arizona
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NOF’s Roberta Biegel with NOF Tucson Support Group Leader Dana Kurland and her father Gil Kurland |
On June 6th the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition hosted a “Strong Voices for Strong Bones Advocacy Training Meeting” in Tempe, Arizona. At this forum, attendees learned about advocating for better bone health and osteoporosis prevention and treatment with local, state and federal government officials. Participants included healthcare professionals, including those working in the areas of exercise and nutrition, along with volunteers, educators, patients and their families.
Roberta Biegel, NOF’s senior director of public policy and government relations, and Sharon Hoelscher Day, president of the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition, welcomed participants and Ms. Hoelscher Day introduced Susan Gerard, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. Ms. Gerard was instrumental in securing funding for osteoporosis awareness programs while she was Member of the Arizona House of Representatives.
Dr. Jeffrey Lisse, MD, chief of rheumatology at the University of Arizona and medical director for the Osteoporosis Program at the Arizona Arthritis Center, discussed the current scope and burden of osteoporosis and the outlook for the future. He discussed the risks and costs associated with fractures, and highlighted that it is important to remember that osteoporosis can also affect men.
During lunch, Dr. Tim Lohman, professor in the University of Arizona Department of Physiology, and Kitty Woodward, a fitness specialist, both member of the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition, discussed the importance of exercise and balance for strong bones and encouraged participants to try some simple exercises.
To highlight current osteoporosis issues in Arizona, a panel of local experts discussed barriers to osteoporosis care and prevention and policies that seek to address these challenges.
Representative Lucy Mason explained why she became involved with osteoporosis advocacy and encouraged the Arizona Coalition and all the meeting participants to continue to advocate for funding for osteoporosis awareness programs.
Virginia Warren, chronic disease section manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services, discussed what has been accomplished with government funding, and how creative partnerships have allowed her department to leverage their resources to reach out to rural and underserved communities. Programs included the purchase of new equipment and the training of volunteers. Ms. Warren stressed the importance of securing a funding source in future years.
Ms. Hoelscher Day discussed the creative ways in which the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition is reaching out to other groups and corporations through partnerships that leverage the resources of the Coalition. She also discussed efforts to assess the projects undertaken by the Coalition to date.
Barry Aarons, a public policy consultant with the Aarons Company, LLC and member of the Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition, discussed the role of advocacy in Arizona, and the importance of keeping osteoporosis and bone health at the forefront of legislators’ minds. Engaging members of the legislature and educating them about the very real impact of osteoporosis, through personal stories from those living with or caring for someone with osteoporosis, or from those working with communities to promote bone health, is a great way to emphasize the need for continued funding for osteoporosis for prevention and treatment.
The intensive, all-day workshop focused on attendees learning to effectively communicate with lawmakers about osteoporosis-related issues. The training included several interactive sessions, including discussions of factors that influence elected officials and an exploration of tips and techniques to build positive relationships with elected officials. Jason Jordan, principal partner with Advocacy Associates, discussed how to become an effective advocate and lead the interactive sessions. NOF resources, such as the interactive Advocacy Action Center located on the NOF website, were also highlighted to encourage participants to advocate for osteoporosis research, prevention, education and access to quality care.
Strong Voices for Strong Bones Advocacy Training Meetings are one component of NOF’s grassroots program to advance public health policies to benefit those with or at risk for osteoporosis. Participants gain a more solid understanding of how they can advocate for bone health policies in their communities.
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