For immediate releaseWednesday, May 09, 2002
For more information, contact: Adrian J. Wright, [email protected](847) 384-4034
Claudette Yasell, [email protected](847) 384-4035
Toby King, [email protected](847) 384-4010
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The United States Bone and Joint Decade Organization address back pain burden of disease
Rosemont, Ill. -- As part of its on-going commitment to the National Bone and Joint Decade, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) will host a 30-minute teleconference on Friday, May 10, 2002, beginning noon EST, 11:00 a.m. CST, 10:00 a.m. MST and 9:00 a.m. PST. Representatives from the AAOS, the United States Bone and Joint Organization and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will address the burden of disease for back pain in children and adults. To join in the conference call 1-800-247-5110 in the US or 1-334-260-0508 for Canada and International participants; and give security code: AAOSBJD. An on-line press kit is located on the AAOS Website: http://www.aaos.org/wordhtml/press/events.htm
"The purpose of this conference is to introduce the media and other participants to the Bone and Joint Decade, its mission and goals in light of President Bush's recent proclamation. We will briefly discuss one particular area where there is a significant burden of disease; back pain. The audience will learn more about the economic effects of back pain in adults, the increasing problem of back pain in children, the pressing challenges in rehabilitation of patients suffering from back pain," said Stuart L. Weinstein, MD, chairman of the AAOS Task Force on the United States Bone and Joint Decade Organization.
The panelists include Vernon T. Tolo, MD, President, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, professor of orthopaedic surgery, and vice chairman for pediatric orthopaedics, department of orthopaedics, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine; Augustus A. White, III, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, Harvard Medical School, chairman of the AAOS Diversity Committee, and president, J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society; Joel Press, MD, medical director of the Center for Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation in Chicago.
The panelists will discuss several aspects of low back pain and its debilitating effects such as inability to work and have gainful employment, psychological well-being, and other conditions associated with neurological injuries.
President George W. Bush issued a proclamation designating the years 2002-2011 as the National Bone and Joint Decade during a press conference held March 27, 2002. "I call upon the people of the United States to observe the decade with appropriate programs and activities; and call upon the medical community to pursue research in this important area," President. Bush stated in the proclamation. "National Bone and Joint Decade, 2002-2011 envisions a series of international initiatives among physicians, health professionals, patients and communities, working together to raise awareness about musculoskeletal disorders and promoting research and development into therapies, preventative measures and cures for these disorders. Advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research of musculoskeletal conditions will greatly enhance the quality of life of our aging population."
The United States Bone and Joint Decade Organization is made up of 59 patient and physician health care organizations.
The full text of the proclamation is found in the Federal Register, March 26, 2002, and at the White House Website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020325-5.html.
The 25,500 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.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 (www.boneandjointdecade.org/us) the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
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