Various organizations, government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies provide resources online that focus on bone health. These educational materials are not intended to substitute for an evaluation by your doctor but are designed to help you become better informed. Be sure to bookmark your favorite websites.
ORGANIZATIONS
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF)
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy, and research. A section titled “Get the Facts on Osteoporosis” provides educational resources for the public and links to community and online support groups sponsored by the NOF.
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)
The International Osteoporosis Foundation promotes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis worldwide. Click on the “Patients & Public” tab for relevant information.
International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD)
This professional organization promotes excellence in the assessment of skeletal health, including bone densitometry or measurement of bone density. Click on the “Patient Information” sidebar for a general overview of bone density testing and Vertebral Fracture Assessment. In addition, you may search for technologists and clinicians in your area who have special certification in bone densitometry.
National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA)
http://www.nationalbonehealthalliance.org
The National Bone Health Alliance brings together the expertise and resources of the bone health community. Select the “Consumers” tab for their newsletter and special offers.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Provided by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Your Orthopaedic Connection is a patient-oriented website that deals with orthopaedic issues and surgeries. The website includes a patient education library and relevant current news.
American Orthopaedic Association's Own the Bone Program
The goal of the Own the Bone program is to close the treatment gap between the repair of an osteoporotic fracture and the prevention of future fractures. If you have had a fracture, click on the “Patients” tab to learn about steps you can take to prevent another fracture.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
The website of the American Physical Therapy Association contains useful consumer information. By clicking on the “Find a PT” tab, you will be able to search for a physical therapist in your area who is right for your specific needs.
American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/index.asp
Handy patient information sheets are available about rheumatic diseases, including osteoporosis; types of healthcare professionals who treat patients with rheumatic conditions; several common medicines used to treat rheumatic diseases; and topics related to treatment, such as jaw problems (osteonecrosis of the jaw).
GrassrootsHealth
http://www.grassrootshealth.org
GrassrootsHealth focuses on vitamin D education and raising awareness about high rates of deficiency by, among other things, hosting public forums across the US and Canada. Testing of vitamin D levels is available through participation in their D*action study.
The Hormone Foundation
The Hormone Foundation is the patient education affiliate of the Endocrine Society. Information on endocrine disorders and treatments, including osteoporosis and bone health, is available on the website. You may also search for an endocrinologist by zip code.
North American Menopause Society (NAMS)
Resources focused on menopause for midlife women are available by clicking on the “For Consumers” tab. If you are looking for healthcare providers with expertise in menopause management, you can search for a NAMS-certified menopause practitioner in your area.
United States Bone and Joint Initiative
The Bone and Joint Initiative is the continuation of a ten-year program that targets the care of people with bone and joint disorders. Public education programs conducted by healthcare professionals are available for your community group by request. These include “Fit to a T,” which refers to bone density T-score and “PB & J,” which educates teenagers about prevention of bone and joint disorders.
American Bone Health
http://www.americanbonehealth.org
American Bone Health is an organization in the San Francisco Bay area that expanded from a research organization, the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE). Sign up for their consumer newsletter, BoneSense.
4BoneHealth
Bone health information for the whole family. Includes dynamic entries based on bone health in the news and recent research publications.
GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED
Best Bones Forever!
http://www.bestbonesforever.gov
A bone-health campaign sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services for girls and their best friends to “grow strong together and stay strong forever!” The goal is to increase calcium and vitamin D consumption and physical activity by encouraging girls to get active and choose bone-healthy foods. The site also contains sections for parents and educators.
Clinical Trials Resource
Search for any clinical trials that are recruiting patients or are in progress. This is a service of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus, the National Institutes of Health's website for consumers, is produced by the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. You can use MedlinePlus to learn about diseases, medicines, and wellness issues. You can also get links to the latest medical research on your topic or look up a medical word.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
This NIH center provides resources and general guidance about complementary and alternative medicine.
NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center
The National Resource Center for osteoporosis and related bone diseases covers the prevention, early detection, and treatment of osteoporosis and related bone diseases. A link is provided for the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What It Means to You.
NIHSeniorHealth
This site includes basic health and wellness information developed for older adults by the NIH. It also features an application that allows users to hear the text read aloud. The category titled “Bones and Joints” includes the topics of falls and osteoporosis.
OTHER RESOURCES
FRAX Calculator
Calculate your fracture risk using this calculator.
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis
WebMD covers osteoporosis and many other diseases and conditions.
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SPONSORED
Each medicine has a website with specific information on the product. Type in the brand name then “.com” to access the product information using your Web browser. For example, Actonel's website is at http://www.actonel.com.
Some of the other pharmaceutical-sponsored websites have helpful general information as well as links to additional websites:
Know My Bones