| RECOGNISING
THAT Osteoporosis is a major health issue for women and
KNOWING THAT although osteoporosis can be easily diagnosed
and treated, studies have shown that it remains seriously
under diagnosed and under treated and
BEING AWARE THAT osteoporosis has enormous social and economic
impact, particularly on women as both sufferers and care givers
of those affected by it
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the International Federation of Business
and Professional Women meeting at it’s 26th Congress
in Mexico City , Mexico in October 2008
URGES all National Federations and Associate
Clubs to educate their members about the problems, prevention
and treatment of osteoporosis.
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Osteoporosis is a disease in which
the density and quality of bone is reduced, increasing
the risk of fracture. As the bones become more porous
and fragile, there is an increased risk of fracture –
even after a minor bump or in the course of normal daily
activities. There are usually no symptoms until the first
fracture occurs. It is estimated that one out of every
three women and one out of five men over the age of 50
will sustain an osteoporotic fracture.
-
In women over 45, osteoporosis accounts
for more days spent in hospital than many other diseases,
including diabetes, myocardial infarction and breast cancer.
Aside from its personal and human cost, osteoporosis is
a major public health problem which has enormous social
and economic impact, particularly on women as both sufferers
and care givers of those affected by it.
-
CEDAW Article 12 states (in part) “
that “Parties shall take all appropriate measures
to eliminate discrimination against women in the field
of health care in order to ensure, on the basis of equality
of men and women, access to health care services,
--”
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In January 1999, the International
Osteoporosis Foundation and BPW International formed a
partnership to work together to educate women around the
world on the problems of osteoporosis. BPW affiliates
in almost 80 countries around the world are encouraged
to develop contacts with local osteoporosis societies
and participate in projects to fight against osteoporosis
and skeletal diseases, including lobbying their governments
for access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment services.
IMPLEMENTATION:
National Federations and BPW Affiliates to –
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(i) |
Identify the information, diagnosis and
treatment services, support, and assistance available
in their communities for the prevention and alleviation
of this condition. |
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(ii) |
Educate their members about the impact of osteoporosis
on women’s lives and ensure they are aware of (i) |
| |
(iii) |
Where resources are found to be inadequate, to lobby
their national governments and health services for the
provision of sufficient screening, diagnosis, treatment
and support resources to address osteoporosis in their
communities. |
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