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National Osteoporosis Foundation
Celebrates World Osteoporosis Day 2007
Activities planned
across the country to help Americans
“Beat the Break”
(Washington, D.C.)
October 19, 2007 – The National
Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is taking
part in an international effort to raise
awareness of osteoporosis and help
individuals recognize risk factors for
the disease on October 20, World
Osteoporosis Day.
According to NOF
prevalence statistics and reinforced in
the 2004 Surgeon General’s report on
bone health and osteoporosis, one in two
women and one in four men over 50 in the
U.S. will break a bone due to
osteoporosis. Consequences of a broken
bone from osteoporosis often result in
pain, deformity, immobility, loss of
independence, and could lead to death.
“Just 30 years ago, most
people considered osteoporosis and
broken bones to be a normal part of
aging—but that view has changed, said
Leo Schargorodski, executive director of
NOF. “Today, research shows that
individuals can protect their bones
throughout their lifetime and
recognizing
osteoporosis risk factors can have a
significant positive impact on bone
health later in life.”
Organizations in 80
countries throughout the world are
participating in World Osteoporosis Day.
In the U.S., NOF is celebrating the day
with a number of activities and
initiatives to help Americans know and
reduce their risk of osteoporosis. These
activities include:
Steps for Strong
Bones: NOF
and Woman’s Day magazine joined
efforts to challenge individuals across
the country to take Steps for Strong
Bones and incorporate walking into
their daily routine. Participants were
asked to track their progress online
with a Steps for Strong Bones
walking community that offers
information on bone health and
osteoporosis and incentives to continue
walking. The challenge culminates on
October 20–World Osteoporosis Day—with
the top participant winning a trip to
New York City.
Beat the Break:
In recognition of World Osteoporosis Day
on October 20, the October issue of
Woman’s Day magazine encourages
readers to “Beat the Break” by following
a safety checklist for preventing falls
and fractures in and around the home. In
addition, Woman’s Day is
featuring the fall prevention checklist
online for readers to print out and use
as a resource.
Start Right, Stay
Strong: NOF
also teamed up with Ladies’ Home
Journal magazine in conjunction with
Roche and GlaxoSmithKline to launch a
new bone health program, called “Start
Right, Stay Strong.” The program
highlights the importance of bone
health, exercise and nutrition for women
across the country through in-mall
walking events and online resources.
“Start Right Stay Strong” kicked off on
September 8 and stopped in 10 cities
across the country. The final two events
will be held on October 20 in
celebration of World Osteoporosis Day.
Each event includes a one-mile mall
walk, a fitness expert who leads the
group in easy stretches, educational
booths and materials on bone health and
osteoporosis, and the opportunity to
have a heel scan from a medical
professional. Walkers can also enter to
win a three-month membership to a local
gym, which includes five personal
training sessions. The events encourage
individuals across the country take
action to improve their bone health,
recognize their risk for osteoporosis,
and help NOF increase awareness of the
disease.
###
Learn more
about
osteoporosis risk factors and
NOF's Steps to Bone Health and
Osteoporosis Prevention.
Learn more about
preventing falls and take the
Beat the Break: Home Safety Checklist.
About NOF: Established in
1984, the National Osteoporosis
Foundation is the nation’s leading
voluntary health organization solely
dedicated to osteoporosis and bone
health. NOF is working to make bone
health a reality and a lifelong priority
for all individuals through programs of
awareness, public and health
professional education, advocacy and
research.
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