These past 7 years have presented a real opportunity to advocate for and promote education in musculoskeletal conditions across the United States. The United States Bone and Joint Decade (USBJD) initiative has developed programs on osteoporosis and arthritis that have been presented to more than 200 audiences. We have prepared and published the newest edition of The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States, and developed a grant mentoring program that has seen our graduates receive more than $20 million in research funding. USBJD initiative has also worked diligently on the education front by partnering with the National Board of Medical Examiners to launch a new shelf test for musculoskeletal medicine, as well as developing public and professional education programs.
The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) has played a leading role in some of these initiatives. NAON has been represented on the USBJD Board throughout this time, involved in the Decade's strategic planning process, and provided guidance and direction as programs have been developed. NAON Past President Cindy Howe is the current Board representative. The association is an active partner in "Fit to a T", the Decade's flagship public education program on bone health and osteoporosis. Many NAON members have presented the program, and some, notably Linda Altizer and Kris Todd, have done so many times.
In 2009, we have an opportunity to showcase the efforts of the United States Bone and Joint Decade initiative and NAON as host of the Bone and Joint Decade Global Network Conference, to be held October 21-24, 2009, in Washington D.C. We are proud to have been asked to host this meeting and intend to make this event a coming together of key leaders in the field, both nationally and internationally. Plans are underway to meet with the highest level policy makers as well as with scientific and clinical thought leaders. The goals of the conference are to:
1. Raise awareness and advocate for musculoskeletal health using an assembly of worldwide representatives with strong U.S. representation.
2. Develop a roadmap for the future to build on the momentum created by the Decade thus far.
Endorsed by their governments, 63 countries have established National Action Networks like the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade. Their representatives, including healthcare providers, health policy officials, and patient advocates, will attend the conference, as will patients from many of these countries. The leadership of many USBJD participating organizations will be attending.
A host committee is being formed, which at the time of writing this editorial, includes 12 senators; nearly 50 congressional leaders; 10 ambassadors; Dr. Stephen Katz, Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and Dr. Peter Hope, President and CEO of Hope Foundation. Members of the Host Committee will welcome delegates at sessions and events during the conference, and some will be keynote speakers. This is all part of the conference's goal of raising awareness in Washington, and around the world, for musculoskeletal diseases and to engage policy makers and opinion leaders in discussions about solutions.
The second goal of the conference, to build a roadmap for the future, using the building blocks and momentum created by the Decade, is to be achieved through discussions by various strategic planning specialty groups. These groups have already begun work, and will present their conclusions at the conference.
We recognize that what we set out to do cannot be accomplished within a decade, nor should the efforts so far be for naught. The burden of disease is not about to disappear, and will continue to grow. If the Decade initiative is part of the solution to lower the burden of musculoskeletal disease and improve bone and joint health of Americans, then this needs to become an ongoing sustained effort. There is a lot to learn from the efforts of the past 7 years about how to do this, and we should use this opportunity to build upon that knowledge to create an increasingly focused and valued campaign.