Message From Tommy G. Thompson Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


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Bone
Health and Osteoporosis: A
Report of the Surgeon General Message From Tommy G.

Thompson
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This first-ever Surgeon General's Report on bone health and
osteoporosis illustrates the large burden that bone disease places
on our Nation and its citizens. Like other chronic diseases that
disproportionately affect the elderly, the prevalence of bone
disease and fractures is projected to increase markedly as the
population ages.

If these predictions come true, bone disease and
fractures will have a tremendous negative impact on the future
well-being of Americans. But as this report makes clear, they need
not come true: by working together we can change the picture of
aging in America. Osteoporosis, fractures, and other chronic
diseases no longer should be thought of as an inevitable part of
growing old. By focusing on prevention and
lifestyle changes, including
physical activity and nutrition, as well as early diagnosis and
appropriate treatment, Americans can avoid much of the damaging
impact of bone disease and other chronic diseases.


In recognition of the importance of promoting bone health and
preventing fractures, President George W. Bush has declared
2002–2011 as the Decade of the Bone and Joint. With this
designation, the United States has joined with other nations
throughout the world in committing resources to accelerate progress
in a variety of areas related to the musculoskeletal system,
including bone disease and arthritis.
As a part of its Healthy People 2010 initiative, the U.

S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed an
important goal for Americans—to increase the quality and years of
healthy life. Our hope is that Americans can live long and live
well. Unfortunately, fractures—the most common and devastating
consequence of bone disease—frequently make it difficult and
sometimes impossible for people to realize this goal.


HHS is committed to developing a wide array of creative and
innovative approaches that can help make the goal of
living long and
living well a reality for
Americans. Several programs of particular relevance to bone health
include:
The National Institutes of Health's Osteoporosis and Related Bone
Diseases ~ National Resource Center. The National Resource Center
provides timely information for health professionals, patients, and
the public on osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, osteogenesis
imperfecta, and other metabolic bone diseases. The National Bone
Health Campaign.

Targeted at 9- to 12-year-old girls and their
parents, this campaign uses Web sites and other activities to
promote nutritional choices and physical activities that benefit
bone health. Steps to a HealthierUS Initiative. HHS launched this
initiative in 2003 to advance the President's goal of helping
Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. At the
heart of this program lies both
personal responsibility for the
choices Americans make and social responsibility to ensure that
policymakers support programs that foster healthy behaviors and
prevent disease.

VERBTM. It's what you do. This
national, multicultural, social marketing campaign encourages
young people ages 9–13 to be physically active every day as a
means of promoting overall health, including bone health.
This Surgeon General's Report brings together for the first time
the scientific evidence related to the prevention, assessment,
diagnosis, and treatment of bone disease.

More importantly, it
provides a framework for moving forward. The report will be another
effective tool in educating Americans about how they can promote
bone health throughout their lives. I appreciate the efforts of
Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona and the many scientists and
researchers who contributed to the development of this report.


Published: October 14, 2004
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