American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Teams with U.S. Government to Promote 'Healthy People 2010' Orthopaedic Objectives

10/21/2003

From: Mindy Weinstein, 847-384-4034, weinstein@aaos.org, Claudette Yasell, 847-384-4035, yasell@aaos.org, or Todd Schuetz, 847-384-4032, schuetz@aaos.org, all of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The federal government and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have joined forces to promote healthy bone development, arthritis treatments, injury prevention and physical activity.

In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today, several federal agencies and the AAOS pledged to speed progress towards national objectives set by Healthy People 2010 ( http://www.healthypeople.gov ) the nation's disease prevention and health promotion goals and objectives for the next decade.

"The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is committed to addressing the public health challenges facing the United States," said AAOS President James H. Herndon, MD. "This strategic partnership will enable us to capitalize on the individual strengths of each organization involved to achieve the goals and targets related to orthopaedics and children, adolescents, adults and the elderly set forth in Healthy People 2010, and in promoting prevention in related areas, thereby improving the overall health of our nation."

The federal health agencies signing the MOU include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Public Health and Science and Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

"We are proud to join with AAOS and orthopaedic surgeons nationwide to encourage bone health. Secretary Thompson and the US Department of Health and Human Services have placed an emphasis on adopting healthy behaviors to prevent illness and injury. This new partnership will reach Americans of all ages with the message that healthy, strong bones are critical to overall good health," said Dr. Cristina V. Beato, Acting Assistant Secretary for Health.

Several of the Academy's programs support the mutual goals of the MOU, such as the Prevent Injuries America! -- a program where the AAOS works with the media as well as orthopaedic state and specialty societies to promote education and awareness of injury prevention issues and behaviors. Http://www.orthoinfo.org offers fact sheets, tips and exercises to the public, covering hundreds of orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. The AAOS also produces several video and radio news releases on key public health topics, one of which featured the surgeon general supporting the need for children to get 35-60 minutes of daily activity to help prevent childhood obesity, reduce the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood and maximize general fitness and musculoskeletal health.

"The AAOS looks forward to working with each of these federal agencies to develop new, innovative ways that this alliance will allow us to inform our audiences and attain our mutual objectives," said AAOS Chief Executive Officer Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE. "We are proud to be a part of this effort and anticipate a productive and effective partnership.

Among those signing the MOU with Dr. Herndon were Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE, chief executive officer, AAOS; Cristina Beato, M.D., acting assistant secretary for health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Carter Blakey, acting deputy assistant secretary for health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Richard Hodes, M.D., director, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health; Stephen Katz, M.D., director, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health; and Duane Alexander, M.D., director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.

The 26,047 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( http://www.aaos.org ) or ( http://www.orthoinfo.org ), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade ( http://www.usbjd.org ) the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health to stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. President Bush has declared the years 2002-2011 National Bone and Joint Decade in support of these objectives.