ROSEMONT, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The month of May represents more than just flowers these days. With Mother's Day, Women's Health Week (May 8- 14) and Osteoporosis Awareness Month falling in May, it now has become a month honoring women. More than 25 million Americans currently suffer from osteoporosis, approximately 80 percent of whom are women. Millions more have low bone mass, leaving them susceptible to developing osteoporosis. This very serious disease affects mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and friends. To generate awareness and educate women of all ages -- including young girls -- about osteoporosis and how to prevent it, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) teamed up with the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS) for the Academy's sixth annual national public service announcement (PSA) campaign.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050429/LAFRU2 )
Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, porous bone and bone fragility that leads to osteoporotic fracture, especially of the hip, shoulder, spine and wrist. According the US Surgeon General's report in October 2004, at least half of Americans over age 50 will suffer osteoporotic fractures by the year 2020. This serious and costly public health problem often results from minor trauma, particularly in the elderly. Health care costs for osteoporosis and related fractures reach nearly 10 billion dollars annually.
AAOS and RJOS' joint campaign, titled Diamonds Aren't a Girl's Best Friend, depicts a bone in a precious, red velvet-lined jewelry box. The message informs parents and teenage girls that the prime opportunity for building strong bones happens while you're young. The appropriate daily intake of calcium, vitamin D and performing regular weight-bearing exercises can help prevent osteoporosis, future bone fractures and height loss.
"Women are four times more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men," said Kimberly J. Templeton, MD, President of RJOS, member of AAOS and orthopaedic surgeon in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas Medical Center located in Kansas City, Kan. "Childhood and adolescence provide the foundation for reaching peak bone density, so it is crucial that parents make healthy lifestyle choices and educate their children, especially young girls, about the importance of developing and maintaining strong, healthy bones."
Bones, like muscles, need exercise to stay strong. Weight-bearing exercises like walking, light resistance weight lifting, dancing, and jogging are best for building and maintaining strong bones. Adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in the diet play an important role in preventing osteoporosis. Calcium-rich foods, many of which are also vitamin D- supplemented -- such as yogurt, cheese, milk, sardines with bones and green, leafy vegetables like broccoli and collard greens -- may help prevent the onset of osteoporosis. According to Templeton, osteoporosis is much easier to prevent than to treat. Medications may also be effective in preventing bone loss and should be discussed with a physician.
The 2005 PSA campaign materials are being distributed nationally to 7,000 print outlets, such as magazines and weekly and daily newspapers. In addition, the public service messages will be featured on display ads in more than 200 airports nationwide. To learn more about how to build strong bones and stay active, as well as access other useful information about orthopaedic conditions, visit http://www.orthoinfo.org/ . To view a copy of the 2005 osteoporosis print public service campaign, please visit http://www6.aaos.org/pemr/psa/2005/psa2005.htm.
An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in the diagnosis and non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
Founded in 1983, the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society ( http://www.rjos.org/ ) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the growing number of women orthopaedic surgeons. The membership is comprised of practicing orthopaedic surgeons, residents, fellows, and medical students. Working with the AAOS, educational projects involving osteoporosis and family violence have been completed. Future RJOS efforts include women's musculoskeletal health and physician leadership training.
With 28,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( http://www.aaos.org/ ) or ( http://www.orthoinfo.org/ ), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade ( http://www.usbjd.org/ ), the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health to stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. President Bush has declared the years 2002-2011 National Bone and Joint Decade in support of these objectives. The AAOS will celebrate its 75th Anniversary at our 2008 Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Visit http://www.aaos.org/75years and be a part of our history!
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050429/LAFRU2AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk; photodesk@prnewswire.comAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic SurgeonsCONTACT: Kory D'Angelo, +1-847-384-4034, dangelo@aaos.org , or CarlyeFallon, +1-847-384-4035, fallon@aaos.org , both of American Academy ofOrthopaedic Surgeons