SECRETARY-GENERAL APPLAUDS GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF BONE AND JOINT DISEASES
Press Release
SG/SM/7240
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPLAUDS GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF BONE AND JOINT DISEASES
19991130Message for Decade Notes Efforts on Major Health Problem, Consequences of Ageing, Accidents, Armed Conflict, Other Factors
This is the text of a message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan today to launch the United Nations and World Health Organization Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 for the prevention and treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders:
Musculo-skeletal disorders are the most common causes of severe long-term pain and physical disability, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world. Joint diseases, back pain, osteoporosis and limb trauma due to accidents and armed conflict have an enormous impact on the individual, on society and on health care and social systems. With the increasing number of older people and the changes in lifestyle occurring throughout the world, this trend will increase dramatically over the next decade and beyond.
There are effective ways to prevent or treat these disabling conditions. But we must act on them now. The United Nations, the World Health Organization, national and international organizations for people with musculo-skeletal disorders and health care professionals are working globally with the Bone and Joint Decade Movement to improve the quality of life for people with musculo-skeletal conditions. They work to raise awareness of the growing burden of musculo-skeletal disorders on society; to focus attention on developing countries; to empower patients to participate in their own care; to promote cost-effective prevention and management; and to advance understanding of musculo-skeletal disorders through research to improve prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
On behalf of the United Nations, allow me to welcome and support this collaborative initiative, the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010.
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