World-Renowned Actress Julie Andrews Leads Campaign Urging Women To Declare Their Independence From Osteoporosis




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World-Renowned Actress Julie Andrews Leads Campaign Urging Women To Declare Their Independence From Osteoporosis

By Eli Lilly and Company

Julie Andrews is known the world over for her acclaimed performances in film and theater, but now she has taken on a challenging new role: spokesperson for a national campaign called the Declaration of Independence From Osteoporosis. Andrews will spearhead the campaign, speaking about osteoporosis and issuing a call-to-action to focus the attention of postmenopausal women on this disease, which is a threat to more than 23 million American women.

A recent national Gallup survey shows that one of the greatest fears for women with osteoporosis is loss of independence. That's why Andrews and two other notable spokespeople, former Texas Governor Ann Richards and Dr. Felicia Cosman, osteoporosis specialist and Medical Director of the Clinical Research Center at Helen Hayes Hospital, have come together as three Women With Backbone (SM) to bring the independence message to women across the nation.

"I think the time has come for osteoporosis to be recognized as one of the more serious health concerns facing women of my generation," said Andrews, who believes her mother suffered the effects of this devastating disease. "Osteoporosis should not be accepted as a natural part of aging because it doesn't have to be. There have been great advances in this field-in detection, prevention and treatment-and it's important for women to know the facts, talk to their doctors and maintain their independence so they can continue doing the things in life that they enjoy."

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thin, weak bones which can lead to fractures of the spine, hip, wrist, or other bones and has been labeled a "silent disease" because it typically progresses without symptoms until fractures occur. Each year, there will be more osteoporotic fractures in women than stroke, heart attack and breast cancer combined.

Ultimately, osteoporosis can lead to the loss of mobility and independence. "With osteoporosis, the simplest joys can be taken away," said Andrews. "A stroll in the park, tending your garden, a walk with your grandchild, all the things we love to do are at risk when we fail to take action against osteoporosis."

The Declaration of Independence From Osteoporosis is a public education partnership between the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and Eli Lilly and Company, and includes a series of national and local initiatives designed to raise awareness of osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Andrews, star of such film classics as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria, is featured in a public service announcement urging women to declare their independence from osteoporosis.

"We all know how vital independence is in our daily lives," said Amy Niles, executive director of the National Women's Health Resource Center. "The center is proud to be partnering in a campaign that helps educate postmenopausal women about important steps they can take to help preserve their independence throughout a lifetime." Women who want to learn more about osteoporosis can visit the health center at NWHRC's web site at www.healthywomen.org.

Proactive steps women can take to stay independent are outlined in the campaign's Declaration of Independence From Osteoporosis. The declaration document, modeled on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, encourages women to take action regarding osteoporosis prevention and treatment. The declaration urges women to assess their risk for osteoporosis, have a bone mineral density (BMD) test, share osteoporosis information with their families and friends, and make osteoporosis prevention and treatment a regular part of discussions they have with their doctors.

It was a bone mineral density (BMD) test that diagnosed Governor Richards' osteoporosis. The governor, who became the first woman governor of Texas in 50 years when elected in 1990 and the first woman to hold the office without succeeding her husband, has witnessed the devastating effects of osteoporosis firsthand. The disease brought on the end of the life of her mother, Ona.

"She broke her arm. She broke her wrist. She broke her hip," said Governor Richards of her mother. But from that experience, Governor Richards learned a valuable lesson. "Watching my mother shrink in stature and her gait slow, I knew I was seeing myself in a few years. More than anything else, the thing that motivated me to change was the realization that I don't want my kids to remember my last years the way I remember Mama's."

Governor Richards will take her personal messages of awareness, prevention, treatment and independence from osteoporosis to various local venues around the country. At her appearances, women will be able to sign the declaration themselves and learn what they can do to declare their independence from osteoporosis. Women are also encouraged to call (toll-free) 1-800-430-8289 for free information about osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

The National Women's Health Resource Center, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, is the national clearinghouse for women's health information. From its award-winning National Women's Health Report to its extensive database of nationwide health resources to its comprehensive web site (www.healthywomen.org), NWHRC provides women with the information they need to make informed decisions on the health topics most important to them.

Osteoporosis Fact Sheet

1. Osteoporosis has been labeled a "silent disease" because it typically progresses without symptoms until fractures occur. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thin and weak bones, which can lead to fractures of the spine, wrist, hip or other bones.

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for more than 23 million American women. This health issue will become even more significant as the population ages.
Up to half of women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime. The disease can ultimately lead to loss of mobility and independence.
Each year, there will be more osteoporotic fractures in women than stroke, heart attacks and breast cancer combined.
Spinal fractures related to osteoporosis can have serious consequences, including severe back pain, progressive loss of height and deformity.
Factors that increase a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis include:

A. being Caucasian (white) or Asian

B. having a slender body build

C. having a family history of osteoporosis

D. being past menopause (including menopause due to surgery1)

E. smoking

F. drinking alcohol

G. not getting enough calcium

H. not getting enough exercise

Taking calcium may not be enough to prevent osteoporosis.
It is estimated that two fractures from osteoporosis occur among women every minute in the U.S.

Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers-through medicines and information-for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.