Clinicians and Academicians Join the National Osteoporosis Foundation to Identify Solutions for Reducing the Two Million Broken Bones Caused by Osteoporosis Each Year
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is hosting its annual meeting, the Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis (ISO16) in Miami, FL, this week from May 12-15. Leading medical and scientific experts in the bone health field will present the latest information on preventing broken bones and lead in-depth educational sessions on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Every year osteoporosis is responsible for two million broken bones, yet fewer than 25 percent of older women and men who suffer from a fracture are tested or treated for osteoporosis. To address this significant care gap, ISO16 will also include training in the fracture liaison service (FLS) model of care, a coordinated preventive care model that operates under the supervision of a bone health specialist and seeks to prevent repeat fractures. Recognized as the solution to closing the nearly 75 percent care gap in existence today, the FLS model has been proven to improve patient outcomes and significantly reduce the incidence of secondary fractures.
“With an estimated 54 million U.S adults, representing more than one-half of the U.S. population over age 50, affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass, the need for effective programs to prevent broken bones is critical,” said Amy Porter, executive director and CEO, NOF. “The comprehensive Fracture Prevention curriculum offered at ISO16 will train healthcare professionals to implement an FLS model of care, which we know is the key to sparing millions of American from breaking bones due to osteoporosis.”
“This year’s ISO includes more case-based learning, updated FLS training, and the introduction of Bone Health ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a strategy of telementoring FLS coordinators and healthcare professionals of all levels, with the aim of reducing the osteoporosis treatment gap,” said E. Michael Lewiecki, MD, FACP, FACE, New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center, Co-Chair ISO Planning Committee 2016.
Additional ISO16 Highlights include:
– Sessions exploring the controversies in osteoporosis treatment and care;
– New tools for assessing fracture risk;
– Interactive sessions on safe exercises for people with osteoporosis;
– Evidence-based answers to the most common patient questions on osteoporosis and fracture prevention;
– Professional development workshops on patient education and new coding and reimbursement for osteoporosis;
– Keynote speaker: Sanjeev Arora, MD, Project ECHO, Improving Health in Underserved Populations through Technology; and
– Raisz Memorial Lecture: Robert Neer, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Historical Perspectives in the Development of Anabolic Therapy.
“We’ve designed ISO16 to maximize our attendees’ time out of the office and ensure everyone leaves with new information to help prevent fractures among their patients,” said Mary Oates, MD, Marian Regional Medical Center, Co-Chair ISO Planning Committee 2016. “Our speakers are nationally and internationally recognized experts presenting plenaries and small group sessions on a wide range of topics to provide attendees with many clinical insights and multiple perspectives all intended to improve care for osteoporosis patients and those at risk for fractures.”
About the National Osteoporosis FoundationÂ
Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, promoting strong bones for life and reducing human suffering through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information on the National Osteoporosis Foundation, visit www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org.