The U.S. Bone and Joint Decade will host the annual Bone and Joint Decade Global Network Conference in 2009. This meeting brings together the representatives from each of the countries that have formed National Action Networks, as well as the leadership of the organizations that make up the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade National Action Network.

The program consists of a two-day Patient Advocacy Meeting, Oct. 21-22, and the Global Network Conference, Oct. 23-24, a two-day education and strategic planning meeting for health care providers, patients, patient advocates, government officials, and industry. The meeting will highlight the significant burden of disease posed by musculoskeletal conditions and why raising awareness and engaging in advocacy are important means to advance prevention and treatment.

For more information visit: http://www.usbjd.org/projects/project_op.cfm?dirID=267

During the 2009 WFC,  Drs. Rand Baird and Paul Dougherty met with APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, Toby King, executive director of the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss several issues, including having APHA endorse the USBJD and also improving awareness of the public health problem of musculoskeletal disease. The meeting was very positive, and it appears that there are some possibilities for the CHC Section of APHA to take a leadership role in addressing the public health issue of musculoskeletal pain.