About ASBMR

Partnerships

United States Bone and Joint Decade (USBJD)

The Bone and Joint Decade is a global, multi-disciplinary initiative targeting the care of people with musculoskeletal conditions — bone and joint disorders. Its focus is on improving quality of life as well as advancing the understanding and treatment of these conditions through research, prevention and education. Bones, and the joints that create function and movement, are connected by muscle and ligaments. Their state of health and how they enable one to lead an active and healthy life is what the Decade aims to improve.

What are the goals of the Bone and Joint Decade?

Supporting organizations of the Bone and Joint Decade are engaged in developing new research and education programs that will bring about significant advances in the knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, and increase the number of resources at the disposal of the healthcare profession and the public at large. Overall, the Decade is committed to making an impact on the estimated $254 billion annual cost of musculoskeletal conditions in the United States.

The goals of the Decade are to:

• Raise awareness and educate the world on the increasing societal impact of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders
• Empower patients to participate in decisions about their care and treatment
• Increase global funding for prevention activities and treatment research
• Continually seek and promote cost-effective prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.

Why have musculoskeletal problems been selected as the focus for the Decade?

Across the world, musculoskeletal conditions affect hundreds of millions of people, at a huge cost to society.

• Worldwide, musculoskeletal conditions are the most common causes of severe long-term pain and physical disability.
• Aging populations throughout the developed world will result in significant increases in musculoskeletal conditions, with attendant increases in costs to those countries.
• Joint diseases account for half of all chronic conditions in the elderly.
• Forty percent of all women over the age of 50 years are expected to suffer at least one osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.
• Throughout the world, musculoskeletal conditions and deformities deprive children of a normal development.
• Road traffic injuries are increasing precipitously, and by the year 2010, are estimated to account for as much as 25% of all health care expenditures in developing nations.
• In the United States alone, musculoskeletal conditions are a leading cause of disability, accounting for more than 130 million patient visits to healthcare providers annually.
• Musculoskeletal research currently is at the precipice of major breakthroughs that likely will change and simplify the way bone and joint disorders are treated and prevented throughout the world. These research efforts promise major benefits for patients who have musculoskeletal conditions.

What is the status of the Bone and Joint Decade initiative around the world?

• More than 750 organizations worldwide have endorsed the Decade initiative.
• Fifty countries, including the United States, have established multidisciplinary National Action Networks to plan activities in these respective countries.
• Thirty-eight national governments, including the United States, have officially designated the years 2000-2010 the Bone and Joint Decade for their countries.
• In the United States the Bone and Joint Decade runs from 2002-2011.
• The World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the Vatican have endorsed the Bone and Joint Decade.

What is the Bone and Joint Decade doing in the United States?

• Over sixty healthcare organizations have pledged their support to the Bone and Joint Decade and form the United States National Action Network (USNAN).
• A Board with representatives of around fifteen of those organizations governs and coordinates activities of the US Bone and Joint Decade.
• All 50 States have endorsed the Bone and Joint Decade.
• In March 2002 President Bush officially proclaimed the national Bone and Joint Decade 2002-2011.
• The US Bone and Joint Decade has held two conferences to determine the "Burden of Disease," or the state of musculoskeletal conditions among Americans and their effect on society.
• Every October the Bone and Joint Decade celebrates National BJD Awareness Week.
• Many activities have already been held throughout the United States for the general public, patients and care-providers, to increase awareness and knowledge about bone and joint conditions, and many more are planned.
• Member organizations are in the process of developing a number of research projects to advance the study of diagnosis and treatment.
• Each member of the USBJD is encouraged to undertake those activities most appropriate to its membership and/or business interests as they relate to the Bone and Joint Decade.

For more information on activities in the United States browse the contents of the USBJD website at www.usbjd.org.

ASBMR Representative to U.S. Bone and Joint Decade
Nancy Lane, M.D., President (2005 - 2007)