Highlights

2007-05-29	BJD to Honour Research in OA The Bone and Joint Decade is delighted to announce the 2nd BJD Award and the 2nd BJD Scholarship for Clinical and Experimental Cartilage Research in Osteoarthritis, sponsored by the International Gelita Health Initiative (GHI). The BJD Award of 25 000 Euros is intended to honour existing achievements of international researchers of scientists working on experimental or clinical cartilage research in osteoarthritis and intends to support documented quality research and ongoing relevant projects. In addition, three BJD Scholarships of 2500 Euros each, will be awarded to support ongoing research, educational activities or research related travel for younger researchers or scientists within the same field. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2007 and the prize will be awarded in 2008. More information and applications forms can be found here: BJD_AWARD_APPLICATION BJD_SCHOLARSHIP_APPLICATION
2007-05-25	Orthopaedic Surgeon's Initiative: A multiparty initiative of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD)and the International Society for Fracture Repair (ISFR), the Orthopaedic Surgeons Initiative aims to raise osteoporosis awareness amongst orthopaedists and provide clear clinical pathways for fragility fracture patients after the first fracture occurs, in an effort to avoid further fractures. Click here to read the press release, and here to download this new osteoporosis education kit.
2007-05-08	The Bone and Joint Decade World Network Conference and Patient Advocacy Seminar 2007 will be held on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Click here for more information
2007-05-08	UK BJD Chair Appointed to National Advocate for the NHS Reforms Highlight the Role of the Patient   The UK’s Health Minister has appointed Neil Betteridge, Chairman of ARMA (the UK’s BJD Network), BJD Pals committee member and Chief Executive of Arthritis Care to the role of NHS Patient and Public Champion. In his newly formed position, Mr Betteridge will work with the UK’s 18 Weeks team to improve the UK patient experience and to ensure that patients and the public are aware of the NHS’s recent pledge to reduce waiting times.   As the Patient and Public Champion, Mr Betteridge will have an important responsibility understanding and reflecting patient views as policy is implemented across the NHS. He will work closely with the NHS, key stakeholders and patient groups. Health Minister Andy Burnham said: "I'm delighted to appoint Neil Betteridge as Patient and Public Champion. He has an outstanding track record of speaking up for patients and his appointment underlines how we want the NHS transformed into a truly patient-led service."   Mr Betteridge said: "I'm thrilled to be asked to take up this important role on behalf of all patients. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for UK patients and the public to help shape the future delivery of health services. As the NHS changes, it is crucial that patients are right at the heart of any improvements. My role will be to keep the target focused on people.”
2007-04-27	Brazilian Parliament Launches Global Road Safety Week This week, declared by the UN as the week of Global Road Safety awareness, Brazilians across the country took notice of the importance of road injury prevention, as the Brazilian Parliament led by the President of the House of Congress Dr Arlindo Chinaglia along with the Ministers of Health, Transportation and Cities, and Senators and Deputies, officially launched the UN awareness week live on Brazilian national television. As a leader in the road safety campaign in Brazil, the BJD Network was also present, represented by Dr Marcos Musafir, ISC member, signifying the musculoskeletal branch of this campaign. At the end of the ceremony, a famous Brazilian rock-n-roll band aired their new videoclip relating their personal drama in a recent road traffic accident.
2007-04-26	1st United Nations Global Road Safety Week April 23-29 2007 marks the 1st United Nations Global Road Safety Week, aimed at improving road safety around the globe, particularly focused on young road users. During the Week, hundreds of national and international initiatives will be organized by governments, foundations and others to promote safer road use. Since its conception, the Bone and Joint Decade has worked tirelessly in partnership with several international organisations to bring prevention of road traffic injuries into the political spotlight. Over the course of the Decade, the BJD and its partners have attended many UN General Assembly Meetings and Stakeholders’ Forums to promote Global Road Safety awareness and solutions. The most recent of these, the 2nd Global Road Safety Stakeholders' Forum, held on 25 April 2007, was attended by BJD ISC Member Dr Wahid Al-Kharusi and Ambassador Fuad Mubarak Al-Hinai of Oman, a member of UN the Global Road Safety Steering Committee. Please click here to go to the full story.
2007-02-20	BJD India Helps Drive Helmet Law After nearly a decade contemplating it, the government of India has made a definitive move to make helmet use for motorcycles and other 2-wheeled vehicles mandatory. This firm move comes as a result of awareness campaigns by several prominent agencies including BJD-NAN-India, the Indian Automobile Association and the Neurological Society of India. Click here for more.
2007-02-09	BJD 2007 International Video Award: An award to recognise the most innovative and creative video presentations produced in member countries which deliver messages to the broad public about musculoskeletal health. All BJD National Action Networks are invited to submit videos produced by the Network or by the national health department or other charity for the purpose of public service and information. During the 2007 Annual World Network Conference in Australia all the videos will be featured in a special screening for conference delegates, who will then act as the jury and cast their vote for the five best. For more details on how to enter, please click here.
2007-02-01	Articulum Medical Student Essay Prize: An essay prize of £500/740 Euros/CAD$1,000 will be awarded to the medical student who writes the finest essay examining a piece of work which has improved his or her understanding of an aspect of the impact of arthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions and how to improve musculoskeletal health. Please click here for more details on how to enter this essay competition. more...
2007-01-18	UK BJD Network Scores Victory by Teaming with Department of Health to Advise Health Services Overhaul The United Kingdom’s new Musculoskeletal Services Framework, which was launched in October 2006, is the Department of Health’s new strategy for the delivery of musculoskeletal health services in the UK. In planning the new Framework, the Department of Health worked closely with ARMA - The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance which is the UK National Action Network for the Bone & Joint Decade, and serves as an umbrella association bringing together all British musculoskeletal groups -- professional, patient and research organisations to further the aims of the BJD in the UK.  To read more, or to download the report, please click here
2007-01-04	RA Emerges as Major Burden in Developing Countries In a new study published in the Journal of Rheumatology researchers in Bangkok have found that despite the massive societal costs of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because RA is seen as a “nonfatal” disease, it does not attract public health interest in developing countries as do diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and coronary heart disease. This may be a mistake in view of the actual burden of RA cases in Thailand, they say. To read more, please click here
2006-12-03	United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons 2006 theme: "eAccessibility": The 2006 International Day of Disabled Persons is focused on accessibility to information technologies. By naming December 3rd “eAccessibility Day”, the UN aims to raise appreciation among governments, industry and the public of the significant benefits to society, the workforce, etc when people with disabilities are empowered with increased access to information technology. To learn more, please see: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/iddp2006.htm
2006-12-01	Articulum Fellowship Programme 2007: In the coming year a number of fellowships of up to Euros 30,000 will be awarded to research fellows to support their research projects in the field of arthritis and pain. Sponsored by Pfizer, the education grant will allow selected candidates to travel to the institute/hospital of an internationally-respected research expert in the field of arthritis and pain, where the work will be undertaken. For further information, a list of host institutions and an application form, please visit the Articulum Fellowship website: articulumfellowship.com
2006-11-27	Orthopaedics in Art: As part of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) participation in the Bone and Joint Decade, the Academy is inviting orthopaedic patients (of all ages) and orthopaedic surgeons to participate in eMotion Pictures - An Exhibition of Orthopaedics in Art. The exhibit seeks to tell the story of musculoskeletal disease through the artistic expression of patients and the physicians who treat them by illustrating emotional facets of the patient/physician partnership and patient-centred care. To learn more about entering your artwork in the exhibit, please click here. The 2nd in a series, this rendering will be featured in The AAOS 75th Anniversary Celebration Travelling Art Exhibit, Film, Book and Online Museum. The first eMotion Pictures in 2002 was exhibited at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. for more details, please click here
2006-11-24	The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010: How Far Have We Come? An update on the BJD at the second half of the Decade, by Dr Karsten E Dreinhöfer, Director of Development, International Steering Committee, the Bone and Joint Decade. Click here to download.   Dr Dreinhöfer’s article appears in European Musculoskeletal Review 2006 – a publication reviewing the latest developments within the European musculoskeletal field from a scientific, clinical and objective perspective. Contributors to European Musculoskeletal Review 2006 are thought-leaders in European musculoskeletal science and their articles aim to provide readers with an update on current diagnostic and therapeutic options in all the major fields of the musculoskeletal system.  To download the full publication, please click here
2006-11-21	World Health Organization elects Dr Margaret Chan as new Director-General On 9 November 2006, Dr Margaret Chan of China was elected WHO Director-General by the World Health Asembly. Dr Chan replaces Dr LEE Jong-wook, who died in May this year. She will assume office in January 2007. For more information, please see  WHO.
2006-10-20	October 20: World Osteoporosis Day World Osteoporosis Day 2006 is the launch day for the “Year of Bone Nutrition” – highlighting the vital link between good nutrition and strong bones. In recognition of this, the International Osteoporosis Foundation has released a new report entitled "Bone Appétit: The role of food and good nutrition in building and maintaining strong bones". Please see Action Week 2006 for the full story.
2006-10-19	Osteoporosis reimbursement in France: The French Minister of Health, Mr Xavier Bertrand, has recently signed legislation to provide reimbursement for osteoporosis drugs to prevent fragility fractures in persons at risk. The French national health insurance will now cover pharmacological treatment not only in patients who have already suffered a fracture, but also in those showing diminished bone density. This move follows on from the Health Minister’s signing of legislation in July to cover the costs of DEXA scans (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scan used to assess bone density to diagnose osteoporosis) in patients suspected of having diminished bone density, which in France is estimated at 6 million people – some 10% of the population – who will benefit from this ground-breaking legislation.  For more information please see http://www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/actu/31_061019d.htm or email Prof Pr. Liana Euller-Ziegler, BJD Steering Committee Member [email protected]
2006-10-17	October 17: World Trauma Day The real human suffering for victims and their families of road trauma is incalculable. The fatality figures themselves seem almost surreal: globally, nearly 1.5 million people die on the roads – that is one person every 30 seconds – and about 50 million more are injured in traffic crashes each year. In low-income countries the average is twice the world average, and sadly, pedestrian injury accounts for 50 percent of this. Clearly, something must be done, and since its induction the Bone and Joint Decade amongst others, has worked tirelessly with the World Health Organisation and the United Nations to tackle the root causes of road trauma. World Trauma Day provides the opportunity to remember victims and act in favour of policy change. Click here for more on World Trauma Day and to access the WHO Report on Road Safety.
2006-10-16	October 16: World Spine Day "Straighten Up" Events Backbone of World Spine Day: Today, on World Spine Day, which features "Straighten Up" as its theme, health care practitioners around the world are taking advantage of this unique spotlight on the spine to promote spinal health, posture and stabilisation in collaboration with the Bone and Joint Decade. Click here to read more.
2006-10-12	October 12: World Arthritis Day Every year on October 12th people from around the world join together to raise awareness of arthritis, a disease that affects millions of people, both young and old, globally. This year World Arthritis Day spotlights the benefits of exercise for people with arthritis with a campaign theme of  ‘Take Action!’   Please go to www.worldarthritisday.org , organised by PARE Manifesto, to find out more about World Arthritis Day events near you.
2006-10-12	Bone & Joint Decade Action Week 2006 Worldwide Events Shine Spotlight on Musculoskeletal Health: October 12th - 20th marks the sixth annual Bone and Joint Decade Action Week, dedicating specific days to major conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, with activities planned in countries around the world aimed at highlighting the severe impact of these disorders on millions of children, adults and elderly people worldwide. Click here for a sampling of events around the globe or to read the press release.
2006-10-11	Reimbursement of Osteoporosis Therapy in France: Congratulations to the French network which has worked tirelessly to champion the need for reimbursement of osteoporosis drug therapy before the first fracture, as opposed to after, in osteoporosis patients. Their work was rewarded and this development was published on October 11, 2006 in the Journal Officiel. Preventing the first fracture is a key area of BJD and IOF policy work. This follows strides in securing reimbursement for bone density scans earlier this year in France. For more information please contact Prof Liana Euller-Ziegler, Service de Rhumatologie, CHU, Nice, France. [email protected]
2006-10-10	2006 BJD World Network Conference and Patient Advocacy Seminar in South Africa Please click here for more information, dates and links for this year’s World Network Conference and Patient Advocacy Meeting, or to download agendas.
2006-10-10	Major Chronic Diseases Gain Research Boost in Sweden In a new Swedish National Research Programme, Chronic Inflammation, six organisations have aligned themselves to combat chronic inflammatory diseases. And in a groundbreaking move, for the first time ever a patient organisation is involved in this cooperation. The network will band their research to develop new methods of treatment. Chronic inflammatory diseases are growing in significance: one out of every six Swedes suffers from one or more forms which include rheumatic diseases and psoriasis. Click here for the full story.
2006-10-04	To read the third newsletter of the ISFR Osteoporotic Fracture Campaign please click here.
2006-09-22	September eLecture: Orthopaedics & Trauma Care in Ethiopia - a Volunteer's Perspective. This month we are pleased to present World Orthopaedic Concern volunteer Dr Scott Innes who recounts his time at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dr Innes discusses the challenges and triumphs of teaching local physicians with limited resources, and details several difficult cases encountered in the centre, particularly from rare infections and road traffic injury. Click here to view his webcast.
2006-09-18	The  BJD  Australian Network has developed three unique Community Service Announcements  for use on national radio about living with  musculoskeletal disease which use humour as a basis to speak to young people.  Please click here to listen to this entertaining approach to spreading the  BJD’s message.
2006-09-15	The German Network has launched a new website detailing German BJD Activities and resources. Please click here to visit it
2006-09-11	Press Release: UN Agrees New Treaty to Improve Rights of People with Disabilities. The United Nations General Assembly has agreed on a new treaty which will give strengthened rights to the 650 million people with disabilities around the world. The treaty is set to be adopted by the General Assembly during its 61st Session in September, 2006. Click here to read more.
2006-07-24	Summer BJD eLecture: The Importance of the Vertebral Fracture. As part of our monthly eLecture series, we're pleased to present Prof Ghassan Maalouf, from Saint Georges Hospital, Faculty of Medicine at Balamand University in Beruit, Lebanon, discussing the frequently overlooked issue of osteoporosis and the vertebral fracture. Click here to view his eLecture.
2006-07-01	Press Release: Dr Ghassan Maalouf, BJD International Steering Committee Member from Lebanon, has been awarded the prestigious International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) President’s Award for his vigorous and significant efforts to bring together members of patient  societies, scientists and politicians in the fight against osteoporosis. Click here .
2006-05-25	BJD Award and Scholarships to Support Cartilage Research in OA. We are excited to announce this year's BJD Award for Clinical and Experimental Cartilage Research in Osteoarthritis of 25,000Euro will go to Prof Stefan Lohmander, Sweden. In addtion, the BJD Scholarships for 2006 of 2500 Euro each will go to Martin Englund, USA and Richard H Osborne, Australia. The official Award Ceremony will be held during the BJD World Network Conference in Durban South  Africa 4-6 November 2006. Click here for further details.
2006-05-24	May BJD eLecture: Management Strategies for Chronic Pain. As part of our monthly eLecture series, we're pleased to present Prof Angela Mailis-Gagnon MD, MSc, Director Comprehensive Pain Programme, Dept of Medicine, University of Tornoto, discussing the latest thinking onthe management of Chronic Pain. Click here to view her eLecture.
2006-05-07	News: UN Endorses Global Road Safety Week 2007. Click here .
2006-04-24	Press Release: Researchers Identify Gene Causing FOP. Click here .
2006-02-28	March BJD eLecture: Bone Cement in Total Hip Arthroplasty. As part of our monthly eLecture series, we're pleased to present Dr Jian-Sheng Wang from the Departments of Orthopaedics and of Biomechanics at Lund University in Sweden, discussing best practices in ensuring the efficacy of bone cement in total hip replacement surgery. Click here to view his eLecture.
2006-02-03	BJD Faculty Recommended Reading List: February's 'Must-Read' list of the top picks in the current literature is now online.
2006-01-25	January BJD eLecture: Treatment for the Degenerative Lumbar Spine. As part of our monthly eLecture series, we're pleased to present Prof Dieter Grob, Chief of the Department of Spinal Surgery at the Schulthess Spine Centre in Zürich, Switzerland, discussing the current approaches to treating a degenerative lumbar spine. Click here to view his eLecture.
2005-12-31	BJD International Steering Committee member Musafir, from Brazil’s University of Rio de Janeiro, has been awarded an international prize for his work with road safety awareness. Last month at the 4th International Festival for Road Safety Campaigns in Tunis, Tunisia international experts from public and private institutions around the world came together to discuss major communication issues pertaining to road traffic safety. The most innovative ideas and campaigns related to road safety were honoured with a prize. Amongst them was Prof Musafir, awarded for an on-going movement in Brazil which features compelling flyers, posters and public awareness events. The conference was the result of a collaboration between the International Road Safety (PRI) group, the Arab Road Safety Organisation (AROSO)m and the Tunisian Road Safety Association (ATPR), which have engaged in a partnership dedicated to promoting road safety globally. For more information, please see http://www.tunisia2005.org  and http://www.lapri.org
2005-10-31	The BJD Ambassador programme honours outstanding service and achievement by global leaders in the musculoskeletal community.  New BJD Ambassadors for 2005 are:  Mrs Randa Assi Berri, President of the Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped, Lebanon  Prof Dinesh Mohan, Coordinator, Head of the Transportation Research & Injury Prevention Programme, WHO Collaborating Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, India Dr Marko Pecina, Professor of Orthopaedics, Croatia Prof Johannes Jacobus Rasker, Emeritus Professor, Rheumatology, Twente University, The Netherlands Dr Cyril Toma, Deputy Head, Musculoskeletal Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria and Chief Medical Officer, Prince Court Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Prof James Wadell, Chairman of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Canada The complete list of BJD Ambassadors is available here
2005-10-31	The BJD Award recognises National Networks which conduct exceptional campaigns in the areas of public awareness, patient education, professional education, or advocacy. This year the Japanese Network developed a very unique awareness campaign which harnesses the power of popular culture -- Manga, or Japanese Comics -- to deliver the message of bone and joint health to the younger generation.
2005-10-31	The 2005 World Network Conference and Patient Advocacy Meeting was held in Ottawa, Canada from 24-28 October 2005 with more than 200 participants from 50 countries around the globe. A full wrap-up, speakers' presentations and video lectures are availble online.
2005-10-12	World Arthritis Day 2005
2005-09-30	The BJD 2005 Annual Report has now been published.
2005-06-07	Exclusive Highlights and Video Lectures from the 7th EFORT Congress in Lisbon, Portugal from 4-7 June 2005 by BJD Volunteer Medical REporters is now online.
2005-03-25	The ARTICULUM Fellowship provides opportunities for young Fellows with an interest in arthritis and pain to conduct a research project. The research project will be undertaken at the facility of an ARTICULUM member. The Fellowships will provide funding of up to US $30,000 to support a Fellow to undertake a research project for up to 12 months. Read more …
2005-02-08	The ARTICULUM Medical Student Prize, valued at £500, will be awarded for what is judged to be the best essay written by a medical student that gives an account of a piece of work that has given them a better understanding of an aspect of the impact of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions and how to improve musculoskeletal health.
2004-11-25	The UK BJD has developed the ARMA Standard of care for Back Pain, Inflammatory Arthritis and Osteoarthritis and they are all available on the ARMA website
2004-11-24	European Action towards Better Musculoskeletal Health has now been published.
2004-11-18	Highlights from the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Annual World Network Conference 2004 in Beijing, China

2004-11-11       A German Blue Book on Osteoporotic Fractures, called Weissbuch was released at the Annual Conference of the German Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeons on October 20-23, 2004 in Berlin. Read more...

2004-10-28       "Osteoporosis in Men," a report by Ego Seeman, professor of medicine at University of Melbourne, IOF International Board member and editor of Progress in Osteoporosis. More information and report

2004-05-03       The UN General Assembly plenary session passes resolution, April 14, 2004

UN press release: General assembly invites world health organization to act as coordinator on road safety issues within UN system

2004-04-19       UN press release: Road safety requires commitment at highest leadership levels, Deputy-Secretary-General tells General Assembly

WHO press release: UN General Assembly plenary session focuses on road safety for the first time in history

Webcast from UN General Assembly: 84th plenary meeting:
            Global road safety crisis

2004-04-19       Press release: Bone and Joint Decade promotes safety on the world's roads through World Health Day 2004 activities

2004-02-23       World Health Day, April 7, 2004: Momentum is gaining in the U.S. and around the globe for World Health Day activities on April 7th and throughout the year. Current plans include a worldwide launch by French President Jacques Chirac in Paris. U.S. Secretaries of Transportation and Health, Tommy Thompson and Norman Mineta, will participate in events in Washington, D.C. Around the world, hundreds of schools, communities, and businesses plan to hold events and fairs to promote road safety. The World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention will be released as part of the World Health Day activities.

UN General Assembly Meeting April 14, 2004: On April 14, 2004, the United Nations is holding a General Assembly Meeting to promote Global Road Safety awareness and solutions. This will be the first time that the UN General Assembly has ever devoted a special session to this topic. This meeting represents the culmination of 4 years of effort by Dr. Bruce Browner and Dr. Wahid Al-Kharusi of the Bone and Joint Decade International Steering Committee to bring this topic to the UN. Secretary General Kofi Annan and the President of the General Assembly are expected to speak and to draw attention to the growing crisis of road traffic injuries, particularly in developing countries. The heads of WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and the World Bank are expected to call for action in a number of spheres to reduce the global toll of road traffic injuries. The General Assembly will likely endorse the World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention, and may call for a voluntary UN Road Safety Charter for governments, NGOs, civil society, multilaterals and the private sector and a UN meeting in 2005 that brings together ministers of health, transportation, and law enforcement, to formally adopt the Charter, and facilitate the development of country plans for road safety.

UN Stakeholder Forum April 15th, 2004: The Stakeholders' Forum on Global Road Safety is structured to mobilize action for road safety and includes key players who are expected to take a lead role in global road safety solutions. Speakers will link road safety to sustainable development, present the World Report conclusions, and discuss steps in the development of a Global Road Safety Charter. There will be lively moderated interactive panel discussions to focus on mobilizing stakeholders from governments and public authorities, NGOs, civil society, the private sector, multilateral agencies, and field level technical assistance.

2004-02-17       A new report, Osteoporosis in the European Community: Action Plan, was presented on November 12, 2003 at the European Parliament. This report outlines the six key steps necessary to prevent fragility fractures that result from osteoporosis: Osteoporosis in the European Community: Action Plan

2004-01-12       The post office of the Vatican has issued an "aerogramme" with the logo of the BJD. It is a special edition with a first day (prima die) annulment. This achievement has been obtained by the Italian NAN with the great help of Prof Giovanni Minisola, director of the Health Services of the Vatican. 35000 aerogrammes have been put on the market and will travel all around the world from Vatican City.

2003-11-17       The Annual World Network Conference took place in Berlin, Germany, October 30–November 2, 2003. Participants from 48 countries, members of the BJD International Steering Committee and 20 patient representatives attended the meeting. The participation from the German health minister, the WHO and the Bertelsmann Foundation were appreciated. The local hosts for the meeting were Prof Wolfhart Puhl, German NAN Coordinator, and Dr Karsten Dreinhöfer, BJD Director of Development.

The theme for the meeting was "Nations in Motion—Bridging Opportunities." There was a focus during the meeting on workshops and discussions on building coalitions, changing priorities, communications strategies, and an updated BJD strategy.

After the opening ceremony, all participants attended the Nordic Walk in 
            central Berlin.

2003-10-27       Press release: Urgent need to address the impact of musculoskeletal conditions. WHO report reveals the true extent of musculoskeletal disease and the impact that these conditions have on society.

•          Bone and Joint Decade press release

•          World Health Organization press release

Photos from the launch in Lund, Sweden, 2003-10-27, showing Prof. Göran Bexell, Lund University and Dr Nikolaï Khaltaev, WHO. The group photo shows, from left to right, Prof. Anthony Woolf, Prof. Lars Lidgren, Dr Kristina Åkesson, Ms Mona Korths Nordén, Prof. Göran Bexell, Prof. Bruce Pfleger and Dr Nikolaï Khaltaev.

2003-10-14       Orthopaedic surgeons are failing to prevent osteoporotic fractures. A multinational study of orthopaedic surgeons has found that in as much as 95 per cent of cases, orthopaedists fail to investigate osteoporosis as a cause of the fracture and are inconsistent in offering specific treatment or referrals. Read more...

2003-10-14       A number of publications related to the Bone and Joint Decade and musculoskeletal disorders have been published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

2003-10-09       A major highlight of the Bone and Joint Decade Action Week, 12–17th October, will be a 24-hour series of global eLectures presenting the latest research by recognised international specialists in the field of musculoskeletal disorders. Read more...

2003-10-06       A new Unified Research Agenda from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, the Council of Musculoskeletal Specialty Societies, and the Orthopaedic Research has been released on priority areas recognized for their heavy burden to society and their alignment with the priorities of the Bone and Joint Decade. Article: AAOS introduces new Unified Research Agenda

2003-06-17       Presentations from the BJD-EFORT osteoporosis meeting in Helsinki, Finland, 

1. Opening remarks, Prof. Angus Wallace, British Orthopaedic Association

2. International Osteoporosis Survey aggregated findings, Dr Karsten Dreinhöfer

3. Country differences and practical consequences/planned actions:

          France, Prof. Jean-Marc Féron, SOFCOT

          Germany, Dr. Robert Hube, DGOOC

          Italy, Prof. Umberto Tarantino, SIOT

          Spain, Prof. Antonio Herrera, SECOT

          UK, Prof. Hamish Simpson, BOA

4. WOOO Recommendations for Care of the Osteoporotic Fracture Patient, Prof. Olof Johnell, IOF

2003-03-24       Injuries in South-East Asia Region—Priorities for Policy and Action (1.3 MB PDF document) report from the South-East Asia Regional Office of the World Health Organization.

2003-02-17       Prof. Lars Lidgren, Chairman, International Steering Committee, the Bone and Joint Decade, received an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) honorary membership on February 7 at the 2003 Annual Meeting in New Orleans. This membership is one of the highest honors the AAOS can bestow on a non-member.

2002-12-18       Amye L. Leong, Bone and Joint Decade spokesperson, was selected as a 2001 President's Community Volunteer Award winner. Please see the press release.

2002-12-16       Dr Stuart L. Weinstein, Chair, USBJD, applauds TIME Magazine on behalf of the Bone and Joint Decade: "The United States Bone and Joint Decade applauds Time on your coverage of the burden of arthritis on our society, and for bringing such a critical health care issue to the forefront for discussion. This timely article follows on the heels of the March 2002 Declaration by President Bush of the years 2002-2011 as the National Bone and Joint Decade."

2002-10-07       The Annual Coordinators meeting took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12–13 September 2002, followed by an International Lecture Symposium on 14 September. Participants from 38 countries, members of the International Steering Committee and 16 patient representatives attended the meeting. All NAN coordinators signed the Global Declaration that affirms our united commitment and action to the BJD mission.

2002-06-17       WHO Press release: Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director General of WHO, addresses the high importance of actions required to reduce injuries.

2002-04-04       National Bone and Joint Decade Proclamation issued by President Bush.

2001-11-20       The Australian NAN has provided the BJD office with two extensive reports:

1.       The Prevalence, Cost and Disease Burden of Arthritis in Australia by the Arthritis Foundation of Australia

2.       The Burden of Brittle Bones: Costing Osteoporosis in Australia by Osteoporosis Australia

2001-11-20       The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) will hold a call to action in the press room of the European Parliament on 2001-12-04 in an effort to return osteoporosis to the political agenda. Key findings of a new audit that the IOF is conducting will be presented and the formation of a European Parliament osteoporosis interest group will be announced. More information on the IOF website.

2001-10-29       Executive Summary of "The Global Economic and Healthcare Burden of Musculoskeletal Disease" has been approved by the WHO and the BJD International Steering Committee.

2000-11-27       The Annual Bone and Joint Decade National Action Network Meeting (photo) was opened on the 27th of November 2000 in the Al Bustan Palace Hotel by His Excellency Ali Mohamed Moosa, the Minister of Health, Sultanate of Oman.

2000-06-07      President Clinton's supporting letter of the BJD