ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 4, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation
announced that it has been awarded a major three-year grant by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch a
national campaign to educate and raise awareness about
osteoporosis. BHOF is one of six organizations chosen by CDC
through a nationwide competitive application process to advance
education and awareness of chronic diseases for which "there is a
clear disparity in public and professional awareness and do not
have dedicated CDC funding." The grant funding will begin on
September 30, 2024.
Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 44
million have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for
fracture. Studies suggest approximately one in two women and up to
one in three men aged 50+ will break a bone due to osteoporosis in
their lifetime. In women 55 years of age and older, osteoporotic
fractures account for more hospitalizations and hospital costs than
myocardial infarction, stroke, and breast cancer. The annual cost
for osteoporotic fractures in the US was $57
billion in 2018 and without reforms is expected to grow to
over $95 billion in 2040, as the
population ages. Yet a 2017 Harris Poll survey found 82% of 1,000
postmenopausal women did not make the link between bone fractures
and osteoporosis.
"The need for greater public and health professional education
and awareness about osteoporosis is clear," stated BHOF CEO
Claire Gill. "BHOF is honored to be
chosen by CDC to lead this important effort and we look forward to
working with our partners to ultimately reduce the huge personal
and financial toll osteoporosis takes on our nation."
The project's goals are to improve understanding of
osteoporosis, increase public, health professional and public
health professional awareness about osteoporosis and best practices
in bone health, and to build the infrastructure for improvements in
bone health through partnerships with healthcare providers,
professional organizations, and public health entities. BHOF will
partner with a range of leading national organizations to maximize
the reach and impact of their efforts. These include: National
Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), Black
Women's Health Imperative, Medscape, National Council on Aging,
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health,
Arthritis Foundation, and Global Healthy Living
Foundation.
BHOF Board Chair Kathleen
Shoemaker, PharmD said, "This grant is an important step
forward in improving bone health throughout the lifespan and BHOF
is pleased to lead this new national effort. We know that greater
awareness will improve bone health and post-fracture care for those
with osteoporosis."
The BONEUP project is supported by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling
$375,000.00 with 100 percent
funded by CDC/HHS during year one. The contents are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of,
nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
About the Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Foundation Established in 1984, the Bone Health and
Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation's leading health organization
dedicated to promoting strong bones for life, preventing
osteoporosis and broken bones, and reducing human suffering through
programs of awareness, education, advocacy, and research. For more
information on the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, visit
www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org.
Media Contact
Carina
May
cmay@bonehealthandosteoporosis.org
Phone: 703-740-1764
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SOURCE Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation