SUMMIT FOR NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR BONE HEALTH CONVENED BY
LEADING BONE ORGANIZATIONS
Key Stakeholders Join Effort to Increase Awareness Among the Public and Health Professionals on the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases
Washington, DC (June 25, 2008) – The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) will host an unprecedented summit to develop a coordinated national action plan to promote bone health on June 26 – 27, 2008 in Washington, DC.
NOF, as a member of the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, also comprised of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation and The Paget Foundation, is bringing together leaders of major health and public health organizations, health systems, academic institutions, industry, government and media to develop a national action plan that increases awareness among the public and health professionals on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related bone diseases.
“The 2004 release of Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Surgeon General’s Report was the first step in bringing national attention to osteoporosis and bone health,” said Leo Schargorodski, executive director and CEO of NOF. “We continue to see public and private sector organizations implement the actions called for in the report. Going forward, we must coordinate and provide a framework for these efforts to make a significant impact on the bone health of all Americans.”
The Summit for a National Action Plan for Bone Health is modeled on past Surgeon General workshops and is the first phase of a long-term implementation and evaluation effort. A report on the Summit will be developed that outlines recommended actions, responsibilities, and short-term and long-term timelines for priorities and programs for health professionals, health systems and population-based approaches to promote bone health. A subsequent reporting phase will collect progress data, develop implementation reports, and discuss progress with planning groups and key stakeholder groups. These activities will be coordinated by a planning group consisting of public and private organizations.
Key attendees during the two-day meeting will include Acting Surgeon General RADM Steven K. Galson, M.D., Ph.D.; Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI); Stephen I. Katz, M.D., director of the National Institute for Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Ethel Siris, M.D., president of the National Osteoporosis Foundation; as well as Juliet Compston, M.D., of the European Union Consultation Panel and Julie M. Foley of Osteoporosis Canada who will provide international insight on leading the fight against osteoporosis and promoting bone health.
This meeting is invitation-only.
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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.
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