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Bone Coalition Hosts Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill
On May 21, 2009, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) in conjunction with the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases (Bone Coalition) hosted a congressional briefing to release the National Action Plan for Bone Health and unveil proposed legislation to create a National Bone Health Program. Representatives Shelley Berkley (Nevada) and Michael C. Burgess, M.D., (Texas) emphasized the importance of improving bone health awareness and encouraged lawmakers to support the “Bone Health Promotion and Research Act.”
The proposed legislation would enhance the activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by augmenting educational activities on bone health at the national and state levels; authorizing grants and cooperative agreements to facilitate the collection, analysis and reporting of data regarding osteoporosis; expanding and intensifying research activities at National Institutes of Health (NIH) on osteoporosis and related bone diseases; and establishing an Osteoporosis and Related Bone Disease Advisory Committee to advise the CDC and the NIH. The briefing also featured medical experts and patients. Ethel Siris, M.D., immediate past president of NOF and director of the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York; and Henry G. Bone, M.D., Chief of the Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, discussed the National Action Plan’s recommended actions, priorities and programs related to bone health.
The report summarizes the recommendations of the June 2008 National Summit, at which public and private stakeholders, including advocacy groups, medical and science organizations and the government came together in Washington, D.C. Stephen Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), emphasized NIAMS’ support for the National Action Plan for Bone Health and discussed NIAMS’ studies and resources related to osteoporosis and bone health. Osteoporosis patient and NOF advocate Linda Johnson, who has lived with osteoporosis for more than 16 years, talked about the long road to her osteoporosis diagnosis, the impact of the disease on her family life and how she has managed it. She also spoke about raising awareness of better bone health in her community. Osteogenesis Imperfecta patient Tim Dombro also shared the impact of the disease on his life and spoke about the need for more research into therapies and ultimately a cure for rare bone diseases like Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The National Action Plan for Bone Health provides a roadmap for advancing bone health to the top of the national healthcare agenda and NOF, as a leader of the Bone Coalition, will continue to work towards making bone health a priority and a reality for all Americans.
The latest
Last week, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel voted that the risks of calcitonin salmon outweigh the benefits for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The panel joined health authorities around the world in reviewing the drug’s safety after two recent studies showed slightly higher rates of cancer among patients taking calcitonin. The panel voted against continued use of the drug by a narrow majority, pointing out that it has not been found very effective in preventing bone fractures.
In today's Washington Post article "Calcium and Vitamin D findings show that caring for your bones can be compilicated," NOF's senior clinical director, Dr. Felicia Cosman helps clear up some of the confusion around the recent and conflicting research on calcium and vitamin D. She says: "It’s confusing, even for doctors. But there’s a common thread: None of the heart or kidney risks were associated with calcium from food."
CIRCA, the leading international buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, announced a new partnership with NOF at a Generations of Strength luncheon at the Friars Club in New York City on February 26. To kick-off the partnership, CIRCA’s Acting CEO Mary L. Forté presented NOF Executive Director and CEO Amy Porter with a check for $25,000, to support NOF’s mission.
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