G-MUSC History & Goals

Where we came from

During the late 1990’s a group of healthcare professionals shared the view that the significant impact from bone and joint disorders on society, the healthcare system and the individual, needed to be addressed on an international level. A Consensus document and plan for continued work led to the “Bone and Joint Decade” being formally launched at the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland on January 13, 2000 and ran until the end of the decade.

Following the decade the Bone and Joint Decade was transitioned into the Global Alliance of Musculoskeletal Health which continues with the mandate to improve the health-related quality of life for people with musculoskeletal conditions throughout the world by raising awareness and promoting positive actions to combat the suffering and costs to society associated with musculoskeletal disorders.

Recognising that no one single organisation alone could accomplish the desired benefits for the patient or their families, G-MUSC is a multi- disciplinary, global organisation with outreach to a network of organizations and individuals interested in implementing and promoting initiatives in all parts of the world.

What we want

Our vision is a society where prevention, treatment and care of people with musculoskeletal disorders is of a high standard and consistently accessible in order to give people the freedom to move without pain and be independent. The prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries should be among the leading health concerns in the minds, actions and funding priorities of policy makers, health providers and the public.

Our objective is to raise the recognition of the importance of musculoskeletal conditions at the global, regional and national levels

What we want are explicit plans by governments, health policy makers at national, regional level and the WHO to deal with the large and growing burden of musculoskeletal conditions on individuals and society.  These need to consider

• Promotion of a lifestyle that will optimise musculoskeletal health at all ages

• Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and injuries

• Identify and treat those who are at highest risk

• Accessible, timely, safe, appropriate treatment to control symptoms and prevent unnecessary disability

• Accessible and appropriate rehabilitation to reduce any disability, including self management

• Equity for all sectors of society

• Enabling people to be economically independent

• Research and education to advance knowledge and care

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