U.S. Bone and Joint Decade observes National Action Week

An annual global event, Bone and Joint National Action Week is held October 12-20 with activities focused on disorders including arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, and the effects of childhood obesity on the musculoskeletal system. Events and projects organized worldwide are designed to raise awareness of prevention, disease management and treatments. In the United States, the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade represents the global initiative.

Why the need?

• 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.
• Bone and joint conditions are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability worldwide affecting hundreds of millions of people.  
• Musculoskeletal conditions include back pain, arthritis, traumatic injuries, osteoporosis and childhood conditions. 
• Osteoarthritis is ranked fourth worldwide as a cause for years lived with disability.
• 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.
• 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).
• Research funding is currently less than 2 percent of the National Institutes of Health annual budget, despite the high costs associated with these conditions.
• In 2011, when "Baby Boomers" become beneficiaries of Medicare, the economic and societal cost of bone and joint health is expected begin escalating for decades.

Now is the time to raise awareness — and the reason for Bone and Joint National Action Week.

In addition to activities throughout the week, there are four special days during National Action Week.

• October 12 - World Arthritis Day
• October 16 – World Spine Day
• October 17 – World Trauma Day
• October 20 – World Osteoporosis Day

National Action Week is observed by the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade, part of the global Bone and Joint Decade initiative which aims to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve quality of life.