Toronto, October 23, 2002 - The Canadian National Action Network of The Bone and Joint Decade International (2000-2010) welcomes the endorsement of The Bone and Joint Decade by the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health on behalf of the Government of Canada. Canada now proudly joins 45 other countries, the World Health Organization and more than 750 organizations and associations around the world, in the global effort to raise awareness and take action on bone and joint disease and injury. Other nations that have received government support in this initiative include England, the U.S., Australia, Argentina, Colombia, South Africa, New Zealand and many others.
"The impact of musculoskeletal diseases among Canadians in terms of pain, suffering, disability and economic cost is significant," says Minister McLellan. "Action and collaboration at all levels of government and non-governmental organizations are needed if Canada is to address this increasing problem."
Dr. James Waddell, Chair of The National Action Network applauds the Minister's endorsement. "We are thrilled to receive this endorsement from the Federal Government and recognize that it allows us to move forward in our efforts to focus on this growing health problem. We need to continue to work together to develop a national and international strategy to deal with the growing burden of musculoskeletal injury and illness. This recognition by the Federal Government will allow us to participate more fully on the national and international level and work more closely with health agencies across Canada to promote improved patient care, research and education in musculoskeletal disorders."
The goal of the Bone and Joint Decade is to improve the quality of life for people with musculoskeletal disorders and injury throughout the world. These include joint disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, spinal disorders, severe trauma to the extremities, crippling disease and deformities in children. The Decade aims to:
In Canada, musculoskeletal diseases rank second among the four most costly illnesses in Canada at 17.8 billion dollars a year (Arthroscope, 1998). The World Health Organization estimates that several hundred million people already suffer from bone and joint disease and injuries around the world.
The Arthritis Society, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis), The Canadian Rheumatology Association, The Canadian Orthopedic Association, The Canadian Orthopedic Foundation, The Canadian Arthritis Network, The Canadian Arthritis Patient Allliance, The War Amps, The Canadian Society of Orthopedic Technologists, The Osteoporosis Society of Canada, The Canadian Physiotherapy Association, The Canadian Chiropractic Association, The Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit - University Health Network, The Cochrane Collaboration (Musculoskeletal Review and Back Groups), The Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Canadian Orthopedic Research Society, The Canadian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists, The Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, The Canadian Nurses Association, and The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, are members of The National Action Network.
For more information on The Bone and Joint Decade visit the following Web sites:
Norma Kent, Chair, Communications, the National Action Network at (416) 979-3353 (extension 353).
Farah Mohamed, Office of Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, (613) 957-1694
