News Release

U.S. Surgeon General Marks Bone Health Month

U.S. Surgeon General's Bone Health "People’s Piece" Honored for Numerous Awards

U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona marked May as Bone Health Month by urging all health care professionals and patients to redouble their efforts to improve bone health by eating healthy, engaging in weight-bearing exercise, getting tested for bone density, and spreading more information on bone health.

"Bone health isn’t just for seniors, it’s for everyone," Dr. Carmona said. "Everyone has to be aware of their bone health. Bones are similar to the frame of your house. With a strong and healthy frame, you’ll have a strong and healthy body. We encourage doctors and nurses, patients, and community leaders to help educate the public on ways to be bone healthy."

To assist in providing the best available science and information on bone health to the American people, the Office of the Surgeon General has developed a People’s Piece. Entitled "2004 Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What It Means To You," the 24-page full-color brochure is written and designed to be useful to Americans of all ages.

The People’s Piece has been awarded a number of honors, including Distinguished Technical Communication in the Society for Technical Communication 2005 competition, and was nominated for Best of Show in the Informational Materials category of the Society’s International Competition. Only five publications from around the world have been given this honor.

"Since my first day as Surgeon General, I’ve worked to develop more effective ways to communicate directly to the American people the important science in our Surgeon General Reports. The ‘People’s Piece’ has accomplished just that. Millions of Americans who otherwise might have missed out on the good science and information in the full 404-page report, can learn about ways to build and maintain stronger, healthier bones, thanks to this publication."

The Surgeon General’s Report, released in October 2004, noted that 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, the most common bone disease, while another 34 million are at risk for developing osteoporosis. And each year, roughly 1.5 million people suffer a bone fracture related to osteoporosis. If current trends continue, one in two Americans over the age of 50 will be at risk for osteoporosis in 2020.

A copy of the Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis and the companion People’s Piece can be downloaded at www.surgeongeneral.gov or ordered by calling 1-866-718-BONE. The People’s Piece is available in English and Spanish.

NOTE: All Surgeon General press releases, reports and other materials are available at www.surgeongeneral.gov

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 10, 2008