Bone and Joint National Awareness Week
An annual global event, Bone and Joint National Awareness Week is held October 12-20 with activities focused on disorders including arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis and trauma. The events and projects organized by individuals and organizations worldwide are designed to raise awareness of prevention, disease management and treatments as well as advances in a number of areas.
You will find activities to do and ways to become better informed below. But before that, take a look at some facts:
o Nearly half the American population over the age of 18 - about 48 percent - are affected by musculoskeletal (bone and joint) conditions, according to The Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States. (1)
o Bone and joint conditions are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability worldwide affecting hundreds of millions of people.(2)
o Musculoskeletal conditions include back pain, arthritis, traumatic injuries, osteoporosis and childhood conditions.
o Osteoarthritis is ranked fourth worldwide as a cause for years lived with disability.
o Unless actions are taken now, the global prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions is predicted to increase greatly due to increasing life expectancy, changes in risk factors and availability of appropriate prevention measures.
o Musculoskeletal conditions can lead to significant disability plus diminished productivity and quality of life. Treatment and lost wage costs associated with musculoskeletal diseases in the U.S. alone was estimated at $849 billion in 2004 - equal to 7.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
o Research funding is currently less than 2 percent of the National Institutes of Health annual budget, despite the high costs associated with these conditions.
o In 2011, when "Baby Boomers" become beneficiaries of Medicare, the economic and societal cost of bone and joint health is expected to begin escalating for decades.
Now is the time to raise awareness - and the reason for Bone and Joint National Awareness Week.
In addition to activities throughout the week, there are four special days during National Awareness Week.
- October 12 - World Arthritis Day
- October 16 - World Spine Day
- October 17 - World Trauma Day
- October 20 - World Osteoporosis Day
(1) United States Bone and Joint Decade: The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2008
(2) Burden of Major Musculoskeletal Conditions, Woolf & Pfleger, WHO Bulletin 2003; 81: 646-56
How did the U.S. Move into Action in 2011?
World Arthritis Day - October 12
In observance of World Arthritis Day, the Arthritis Foundation chose the theme "Move Around the World." AF asked participants to choose their weapon against arthritis pain and help the Arthritis Foundation reach a goal of covering the distance around the world -- 24,900 miles! They asked to Walk, hike, jog, swim (or however you move) as many miles as you can before October 31, 2011. Join the Arthritis Foundation community in supporting the 27 million people living with osteoarthritis. Log your efforts at www.FightArthritisPain.org/WorldArthritisDay and share your good work with friends.
Empire State Building to commemorate World Arthritis Day!
The Empire State Building honored World Arthritis Day on October 12, 2011 by shining its world-famous tower lights in all blue. Learn more about the Empire State Building.
The U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, spoke out in honor of World Arthritis Day. See what she has to say.
Healing Hands for Arthritis
Massage therapy can help get you moving by easing painful symptoms of arthritis. On World Arthritis Day, nearly 700 Massage Envy locations joined the fight against arthritis. Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, donated $10 from every one-house massage and facial 12 to support the Arthritis Foundation's efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis.
Events where held world-wide. Follow the link and choose a location to see what they achieved this year on World Arthritis day.
World Spine Day - October 16
Just Start Walking!
World Spine Day is October 16, we encouraged you to Just Start Walking for improved spinal, bone and joint health. In America, with 66% of the adult population overweight or obese, it is imperative to increase our activity levels. Benefits of regular brisk walking include improved spinal, bone and joint health and increased mental clarity.
Just Start Walking Challenge encourages people to take action during National Awareness Week by focusing on excellent upright posture and slightly increased arm-swing for enhanced biomechanical integration.
Just Start Walking may be translated and adapted as necessary to fit local/national cultural contexts. The program is cost-free and without copyright. For more information and tools to begin your walking program, visit www.straightenupamerica.org.
World Osteoporosis Day - October 20
Unbreakable Embrace
National Osteoporosis Foundation in support of World Osteoporosis Day 2011 joined the Unbreakable Embrace. Standing tall with other people around the world to show support for those with osteoporosis helped put an end to this silent disease that threatens our health, happiness and independence as we age.
For more information and to find out more about the theme Steps to Prevention: Calcium, Vitamin D and Exercise, please go to www.worldosteoporosisday.org and love your bones.
Cup Cakes Galore
USBJI recognized World Osteoporsis Day on October 20, 2011 by hosting a "Cup Cake Day" where everyone who attended received a cup cake and learned about bone health through a Fit to a T seminar.
Staff of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and specialty societies with offices in the AAOS building located in Rosemont, Illinois, as well as staff at the nearby offices of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, were invited to celebrate National Awareness Week and learn more about the Initiative.
Children and Bone and Joint Health
A global epidemic of childhood obesity can have a devastating impact on a child's musculoskeletal system, the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative says. Because healthy bones and joints are the building blocks of a healthy body, when extra weight stresses growing bones it can cause pain and interfere with normal childhood growth and development. Please read the story of how slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) effects development. Please follow the link to read two compelling stories about a growth plate problem linked to childhood obesity and a potential devastating diagnosis often initially missed.
Global Initiatives 2011
International organizations took action during Bone and Joint Awareness Week. Click here to see the activities.
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