“Osteoporosis...it matters”

May 1, 2006 (Washington, DC) – The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), through its Awareness and Prevention Month campaign entitled, “Osteoporosis...it matters”, is encouraging individuals to speak with their healthcare professional about osteoporosis and providing critical communication tips and sample questions to consumers that will help them prepare for their next healthcare appointment.

“NOF’s campaign underscores the fact that osteoporosis is, in fact, potentially relevant to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. Osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bones” is a disease in which bones become more fragile and likely to break, even from a slight strain or fall. These useful tools will help educate all the players – patients, caregivers and healthcare providers – about osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and the follow-up treatment of fractures related to this very serious disease,” said Ethel S. Siris, MD, President of NOF, Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University and Director of the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Osteoporosis matters because according to NOF data, in the U.S. today, there are 44 million American women and men age 50 and older with osteoporosis or low bone density, and that number is expected to rise to more than 61 million by 2020, unless action is taken now.

“NOF’s Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month campaign posters, brochures and other educational materials – distributed to its grassroots network of hundreds of healthcare professionals, consumers, NOF support groups and grassroots organizations across the country – conveys clearly and convincingly why and how they should be proactive in addressing this largely preventable and treatable disease,” said Judith Cranford, NOF Executive Director.

No single physician specialty is dedicated to osteoporosis. However, a variety of medical specialists treat people with osteoporosis, including endocrinologists, family physicians, gynecologists, internists, orthopedists, physiatrists and rheumatologists.

NOF’s Web site, www.nof.org, lists key questions and offers informative brochures that are intended to assist individuals – young adults, those at midlife and older adults -- to discuss good bone health throughout their lifespan with their healthcare professional. The site also suggests a series of questions consumers may want to pose if they currently have osteoporosis or if their healthcare provider believes they are at high risk for the disease.

Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. Our mission is to prevent osteoporosis, to promote lifelong bone health, to help improve the lives of those affected by osteoporosis and related fractures, and to find a cure. For more information on osteoporosis and bone health, contact NOF online at www.nof.org or by telephone (800) 223-9994.