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On October 20, NOF will be joining bone health organizations from around the globe to celebrate World Osteoporosis Day. This day serves as a focal point for the international community to inform and educate the public and policy makers about the importance of osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
In support of this year's campaign theme, “Stand Tall—Speak Out for Your Bones,” NOF is rallying the members of its Bone Health Advocacy Network to inform policy makers about the impact osteoporosis has on their communities. NOF advocates are urging legislators to advance public health policies that raise awareness about osteoporosis and bone health and educate the public about steps to improve their bone health through diet, exercise or medication. Our advocates are also helping NOF expand access to testing, treatment options and medications for those
with or at risk for osteoporosis and increase funding
for osteoporosis research to find a cure and improve
the quality of life for those living with osteoporosis.
Inspired by the theme for World Osteoporosis Day and in conjunction with the International Osteoporosis Foundation, NOF has been working with leaders from government, business and major public health and medical organizations in an effort to bring osteoporosis and bone health to the forefront of our nation’s health agenda. In June, NOF, together with the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, held a Summit for a National Action Plan for Bone Health in Washington, D.C. The Coalition, made up of NOF, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation and The Paget Foundation, worked with these groups to develop strategies to increase awareness of osteoporosis and prevent the consequences of low bone density and osteoporosis.
The goal of the summit was to create a national action plan, establish priorities for policies and programs for health professionals and health systems and initiate a short- and long-term implementation and evaluation timeline for promoting bone health. To ensure the proposed actions are met, a planning group, consisting of public and private organizations, will coordinate a follow-up reporting phase for the Summit to assess the recommendations. The report will be released later this year.
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Join NOF as we raise awareness about better bone health on World Osteoporosis Day! Here are three simple ways you can speak out for your bones:
Become an advocate for better bone health today and join us as we advance bone health and osteoporosis to the top of the national healthcare agenda! NOF's public policy programs advance public health policies that promote better bone health and osteoporosis awareness, education, prevention, treatment and research. Our advocates are fighting in their home states and in Washington, DC to help us achieve these goals!
Become an advocate!
In honor of NOF’s 25th Anniversary in 2009, invite 25 people you know to join us in the fight against osteoporosis by becoming an advocate for better bone health! Ask friends and family to become strong voices for strong bones and help us advance bone health and osteoporosis to the top of the national healthcare agenda. As the strong voices for strong bones grow, we can build on the remarkable gains NOF has made over the last 25 years! Ask a friend to join us!
Write a letter to your elected officials urging them to make bone health a priority in the next Congress. Let key decision makers know about the importance of bone health and the impact osteoporosis has on your community. Write a letter to your Representatives in Congress!
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NOF’s Public Policy Priorities
NOF's public policy programs advance public health policies that promote access to quality care, education and prevention initiatives and bone health and osteoporosis research.
- Ensure Access to Quality Care
- Promote Education and Prevention
- Expand Bone Health and Osteoporosis Research
To learn more about these initiatives visit NOF’s Public Policy Priorities Web page.
NOF’s Public Policy Achievements
Over the past 25 years NOF has achieved remarkable gains and raised awareness about bone health, educated the public about osteoporosis, and championed expanded access to quality care and research funding by successfully advocating for many initiatives including:
- The release of the 2004 U.S. Surgeon General’s report on bone health and osteoporosis
- A partnership with the Office of Women’s Health to launch Powerful Bones Powerful Girls, a national bone health campaign that promotes bone health awareness and education
- Uniform Medicare coverage of bone density testing for most individuals at risk for osteoporosis
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for osteoporosis testing for women resulting in an increase of private insurer coverage of osteoporosis testing
- Inclusion of reduction of fractures due to osteoporosis as one of the goals of Healthy People 2010, the nation’s blueprint for healthy living
Find out how you can make a difference and learn more about NOF’s policy priorities and achievements by visiting the “Advocacy” section of the NOF Web site at www.nof.org/advocacy
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