Health Information

The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~
National Resource Center

 

Updated August 1 , 2006

About the NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center

Who We Are
What We Do
Customer Service Policy

Who We Are

Mission Statement

The National Resource Center, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health (NIH), provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis, Paget's disease of the bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, and hyperparathyroidism. The National Resource Center is dedicated to increasing the awareness, knowledge and understanding of physicians, health professionals, patients, underserved and at-risk populations (such as Hispanic and Asian women, adolescents, and men) and the general public about the prevention, early detection and treatment of osteoporosis and related bone diseases.

Background

Osteoporosis, which affects millions of people in the United States, is a disease that results in painful and debilitating fractures and costs that are in the billions. Other bone diseases, such as Paget's disease of bone and osteogenesis imperfecta, are also associated with fractures, disability, pain, and economic loss.

The magnitude of these diseases has spurred the expansion of research, but widespread dissemination and clinical application has not kept pace with the research findings. Physicians need to be better informed about current advances and their clinical applications; patients need information on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these debilitating diseases.

To remedy this problem, the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bones Diseases National Resource Center was established to expand awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of osteoporosis and related bone diseases.

Related Diseases

The following is a list of some of the major metabolic bone diseases that are addressed by the National Resource Center.

Primary:
Secondary:
  • Fibrous dysplasia (monostotic, polyostotic McCune-Albright syndrome)
  • Osteopetrosis

What We Do

Inquiry Response

The National Resource Center provides a link between current resources and the individuals (e.g., health professionals, patients, and the public) who are trying to locate these resources. If you have questions about osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, other metabolic bone diseases or bone health, please contact us at:

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center

2 AMS Circle
Bethesda,  MD 20892-3676
Phone: 202–223–0344
Toll Free: 800–624–BONE
TTY: 202-466-4315
Fax: 202-293-2356
Email: NIAMSBoneInfo@mail.nih.gov
Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/bone/default.asp

Materials Development

The National Resource Center develops new materials to fill important gaps in information, such as osteoporosis in men and patient information on other rare bone diseases. Materials in Spanish and Asian languages, for low literacy populations, and for individuals with visual impairment are also available or planned. Some of the materials distributed by the National Resource Center include fact sheets (on Asian American women and osteoporosis, kids and their bones, Latino women and osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and Paget's disease); and large-print materials (Fall Prevention for Older Adults, Bone Basics for Men of All Ages, Talking with Your Doctor About Osteoporosis, and a Spanish-language fact sheet on Latino women and osteoporosis).

Materials Dissemination

The National Resource Center distributes information packets, pamphlets, fact sheets, and other materials related to metabolic bone diseases. Information on treatment options, coping strategies, and referral to appropriate organizations for additional information is also available. You can order this information by calling the National Resource Center at (202) 223-0344 or toll-free at (800) 624-BONE or e-mailing the National Resource Center at NIAMSBONEINFO@mail.nih.gov.

Customer Service Policy

Mission

The mission of the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ ­National Resource Center is to expand awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of metabolic bone diseases as well as strategies for coping with them.

Customers
  • Health Professionals
  • Patients
  • Policymakers
  • Public
Customer Service Pledge
  • The National Resource Center answers all telephone calls promptly during core working hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time). After hours and on weekends and holidays, callers have the opportunity to leave their request and contact information in a voice mail box.
  • The National Resource Center takes requests and provides information by telephone, mail, fax, TTY, and E-mail.
  • The staff member who answers your call is always courteous and helpful.
  • If the National Resource Center does not have the information that you request, every effort will be made to provide an appropriate referral to another information source.
  • All publications distributed by the National Resource Center are accurate, informative, and appropriate to the request.
  • Although the National Resource Center cannot make physician referrals, we may refer you to organizations that do make referrals or provide you with information about the different types of physicians that treat your disorder.
  • Any information that you give to the National Resource Center will be kept confidential.

For information on osteoporosis and dozens of additional topics on bone diseases, contact:

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center

2 AMS Circle
Bethesda,  MD 20892-3676
Phone: 202–223–0344
Toll Free: 800–624–BONE
TTY: 202-466-4315
Fax: 202-293-2356
Email: NIAMSBoneInfo@mail.nih.gov
Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/bone/default.asp

The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases. The mission of NIH ORBD~NRC is to expand awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of these diseases as well as strategies for coping with them.

The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases with contributions from:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).