Bone and joint decade launched in Australia
30 April 2001
Friday 27 April saw Federal Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge preside over the Australian launch of the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD).
The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2001 was officially launched at the World Health Organisation’s headquarters in Geneva on January 13 2000, following its November 1999 endorsement by the United Nations.
The Decade, which follows on from the successful Decade of the Brain in the 1990s, was initiated as a result of the epidemic of musculoskeletal disease that is occurring worldwide as the population ages.
The initiative aims to improve the quality of life for people worldwide living with musculoskeletal disorders. Its goals are to raise awareness, identify needs, empower patients, promote cost-effective prevention and treatment and increase understanding through research and education.
More than 100 countries have now have BJD national coordinators, while more than 50, including Australia, have established BJD National Action Networks which devise their own national goals and agendas.
Arthritis Foundation of Australia CEO Bridget Kirkham explained how the World Health Organisation ‘realised there was a big epidemic that it needed to do something about’ and spoke about the Foundation’s involvement.
‘The Arthritis Foundation of Australia represents more than 3 million people and as such are the biggest constituency of the Bone and Joint Decade in Australia, which represents all people with musculoskeletal conditions.’
The Arthritis Foundation is one of the Australian musculoskeletal organisations that have joined together to form a BJD Steering Committee, which includes such groups as the Australian Orthopaedic Association, Osteoporosis Australia and the Australian Rheumatology Association.
These organisations have been working together to devise a national agenda for musculoskeletal disorders that will bring together governments, health professionals, industry and patient organisations to fight the epidemic.
Last Reviewed: 30 April 2001
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