Bone & Joint Action Week is our opportunity to highlight the importance of musculoskeletal health and the need to effectively prevent and manage conditions which affect it.
During this week there are dedicated days to highlight major rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions.
12 October: World Arthritis Day
16 October: World Spine Day
17 October: World Trauma Day
19 October: World Pediatric Bone & Joint Day
20 October: World Osteoporosis Day
The Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health of the Bone and Joint Decade, gives an overarching theme for the week as well as encouraging active support of the individual days. Our theme for 2017 is “Movement is Medicine – Keep moving for health and wealth!“. This reflects the importance of activity for musculoskeletal health to enable people to be independent and enjoy life without the pain of a musculoskeltal disorder. Therefore, we would encourage you to support this theme which you can promote nationally and which we can showcase globally for you.
Please inform our central office of your plans office@gmusc.com and send in announcements or media notices so that we can disseminate it globally. We look forward to working with you to make the Bone and Joint Action Week a worldwide success! #BoneandJointWeek2017
Follow these links for the latest news from our members:
NHS England – Professor Tony Woolf
Media Planet UK – Bones and Joints
12 October 2017
World Arthritis Day
www.worldarthritisday.org
World Arthritis Day (WAD) was established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and is celebrated each year on 12 October.
Now, people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) from around the world can join together to make their voices heard on this day. World Arthritis Day is an ideal focus for organisations to raise awareness of issues affecting people with RMDs and for individuals to support campaigns.
Although 12 October is the official World Arthritis Day, this is a year round campaign.
The aims of World Arthritis Day are:
- To raise awareness of RMDs amongst the medical community, people with RMDs and the general public
- To influence public policy by making decision-makers aware of the burden of RMDs and the steps which can be taken to ease it
- To ensure all people with RMDs and their caregivers are aware of the vast support network available to them.
The World Arthritis Day website is supported and managed by EULAR, the European League Against Rheumatism and you are invited to share your personal story #ConnectToday about living with a rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) and tell the world how you have taken action to:
- Live your life to the fullest (if you have a RMD)
- Support people with RMDs (carers, healthcare professionals and the wider public)
If sharing your story on social media please use #ConnectToday.
16 October 2017
World Spine Day
www.worldspineday.org
Every year on October 16th people from around the world join together to raise awareness on World Spine Day as part of the Bone and Joint Decade’s Action Week. The World Spine Day (WSD) theme for 2017 is “Your Back in Action”. We want to highlight the importance of physical activity and improving posture as part of good spinal health and prevention of injury.
To mark World Spine Day 2017, organisations and people worldwide are being encouraged to plan special events around the theme of “Your Back in Action” to raise awareness of good spinal health.
To mark World Spine Day, organisations and people worldwide are being encouraged to plan special events around the theme of “Your Back in Action” #yourbackinaction to raise awareness of good spinal health.
You can also register your support via the Organisations page which helps WSD to spread the word and help them keep people in touch with the latest events occuring worldwide!
The aims of World Spine Day are to:
- Raise awareness about spinal health and spine disorders within the interdisciplinary health care community and amongst public policy decision-makers and the general public;
- To provide an opportunity for and encourage ongoing discussion about the burden of spinal disorders; and
- To promote an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to easing the burden of spinal disorders.
17 October 2017
World Trauma Day
World Trauma Day began in 2011 in New Delhi, with The Trauma Society of South Africa (which has the highest road mortality rate in the world with 40 deaths per day) joining the year after. Its purpose was to set a day aside to consider the impact, prevention and treatment of traumatic injuries and deaths.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), trauma is a major cause of death and disability across the world. WHO research has shown that at least 50 percent of road deaths occurring in developing countries could have been prevented with effective intervention after trauma has occurred, that is:
- immediate pre-hospital care;
- adequate knowledge of handling emergency situations (involves training of personnel);
- adequate supply of pre-hospital care equipment and facilities (enough ambulances and other medical supplies).
Commemoration of World Trauma Day emphasizes the importance of saving and protecting a life during the most critical moments and preparing and applying critical measures to deal with and avoid trauma fatalities.
WHO research has shown that at least 50 percent of road deaths occurring in developing countries could have been prevented with effective interference after trauma has occurred, that is:
- Immediate pre-hospital care
- Adequate knowledge of handling emergency situations (involves training of personnel)
- Adequate supply of pre-hospital care equipment and facilities (enough ambulances and other medical supplies)
19 October 2017
World Pediatric Bone & Joint (PB&J) Day
World Pediatric Bone and Joint (PB&J) Day, developed by the multi-disciplinary Pediatric Specialty Group of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) features educational stories on important bone and joint-related conditions about which kids, adolescents and their parents should be aware.
The United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) Pediatric Specialty Group’s goal is to identify the primary areas of concern with regard to children’s musculoskeletal health, including those that relate to other health issues, and to develop programs and activities through research, education and advocacy that will promote their improved health, and reduce the burden of disease.
They are asking you to share your event or your day on Facebook or via Twitter @USBJI.
World PB&J Day seeks to highlight the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on children and educate health care providers and the public about children’s musculoskeletal health issues.
- Nearly 48% of adults have a musculoskeletal condition, many of which began in childhood.
- Children represent 10% of the population with a disabling musculoskeletal condition.
20 October 2017
World Osteoporosis Day
worldosteoporosisday.org
The World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) Theme for 2017 is
Love Your Bones
Protect Your Future
Your long-term bone & muscle health starts now! Take early action through:
- Regular exercise
- A bone healthy diet
- Consulting your doctor about osteoporosis
Please see World Osteoporosis Day Campaign Sheet and Resources to help organise your day
You are invited to “Wear White“ on October 20 and embrace better bone health