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- Multicultural Bone Health
- Healthy Bones – Why They Matter for African Americans
- Healthy Bones – Why They Matter for American Indians and Alaska Natives
- Healthy Bones – Why They Matter for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
- Healthy Bones – Why They Matter for Chinese Americans
- Healthy Bones – Why They Matter for Hispanics and Latinos
Bone Health for Multicultural Communities
Publication Date: September 2008
Healthy Bones – Why They Matter for African Americans
Strong bones are important for good health. They give our bodies support, help us move, and protect us from injuries. Bones also store minerals that our bodies need to stay healthy. There are things you can do to keep your bones strong and healthy. Some of these include:
- Eating healthy, well-balanced meals
- Getting regular exercise
- Not smoking or drinking too much alcohol
These healthy behaviors can help you prevent osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and more likely to break. In fact, half of all women and one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Most will break a bone in the hip, spine, or wrist.
If you have ever broken a bone, you already know how painful it can be. Even after a broken bone heals, many people continue to have pain for a long time and may need help getting around and taking care of themselves.
Osteoporosis is a real risk for older African American women and men. They are more likely than other groups to have lupus, sickle cell anemia, and kidney disease, which increase the chance of getting osteoporosis.
You have the power to prevent or delay osteoporosis. Find out if you are at increased risk by answering the questions below:
- Have you ever broken a bone after the age of 45? ___ Yes ___ No
- Did your mother or father ever break a hip? ___ Yes ___ No
- Is your diet low in milk and dairy products? ___ Yes ___ No
- Have you ever had breast cancer, prostate cancer, lupus, sickle cell anemia, kidney disease, or diabetes? ___ Yes ___ No
- Have you ever taken medicine to control asthma, seizures, or a thyroid condition? ___ Yes ___ No
- Do you exercise less than 3 to 5 days per week? ___ Yes ___ No
- If you are a woman, have you been through menopause? ___ Yes ___ No
- Are you small and thin? ___ Yes ___ No
- Do you smoke? ___ Yes ___ No
- Do you drink more than 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages a day? ___ Yes ___ No
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to protect your bones. Following are free resources to help you learn more about your bone health and risk factors for osteoporosis.
For more information on: | Call toll free: | Or visit: |
---|---|---|
Asthma | 800–624–2663 | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone |
Bone Health and Osteoporosis from the U.S. Surgeon General | 800–624–2663 | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone |
Breast and Prostate Cancer | 800–624–2663 | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone |
Diabetes | 800–624–2663 800–860–8747 |
www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov |
Exercise | 800–624–2663 | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone |
Kidney Disease | 800–891–5390 | www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov |
Lactose Intolerance | 800–891–5389 | www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov |
Lupus | 877–226–4267 | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info |
Menopause | 800–222–2225 | www.nia.nih.gov |
Nutrition | 800–624–2663 | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone |
Osteoporosis and African American Women | 800–624–2663 800-994-9662 |
www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone
www.4woman.gov/minority |
Osteoporosis and Seniors | 800–222–2225 (Online only) |
www.nia.nih.gov www.nihseniorhealth.gov |
Risk Factors (Check Up On Your Bones Web tool) |
(Online only) | www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone |
Do you have osteoporosis or another bone disease? You may be able to help scientists learn more about these conditions. For information about research projects near your home, call the NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center at 800–624–BONE (624–2663) or visit www.nih.gov. You could make a difference!
NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center
2 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3676
Phone: 202-233-0344
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:
- National Institute on Aging
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- NIH Office of Research on Women's Health
- DHHS Office on Women's Health.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Most of our bone publications are available online only. Some are available in print. Would you like to order publications on bone disorders to be mailed to you? Visit our online order form.