November 29, 2005 Source: University of Western Ontario:
http://communications.uwo.ca/media_newsroom/story.html?listing_id=20317 Bringing Bone Health to Seniors' Communities: Unique Approach to Help Manage Osteoporosis London, ON - In time for national osteoporosis month, researchers at The University of Western Ontario are launching a research program aimed at identifying and managing osteoporosis care in a community of seniors in London, Ontario. Marita Kloseck and Richard Crilly will lead an innovative research study based on a community development model. The model involves working closely with seniors in the community to provide information about osteoporosis prevention, treatment and management options, as well as the availability of local resources and how to identify individuals at risk. This aspect of the project builds upon previous research in the Cherryhill community and with the Cherryhill Healthy Aging Program. "Osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable disease, yet there is a significant care gap in Canada," says Kloseck, a professor in Western's Faculty of Health Sciences. "Adverse outcomes, such as hip fractures - which cost the health system approximately $30,000 each - are very costly to our society, both in terms of economics and the welfare of our citizens." In Canada, one in four women, and one in eight men suffer from osteoporosis. Approximately 50 per cent of women living with osteoporosis in the community are not being treated. The researchers were awarded $150,000 in support over the next two years for the Osteoporosis Points of Opportunity Research Program from the Alliance for Better Bone Health (P&G Pharmaceuticals & Sanofi-Aventis).
Funding will allow the researchers to translate evidence into practice at the community level. The project's primary goal is to develop a senior, peer-led program to identify and improve the treatment of osteoporosis in communities of seniors, with peer-led support groups and resource materials developed collaboratively within the community. Kloseck and Crilly, a recognized expert in bone disease and osteoporosis at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, hope this unique approach will also serve as a model for communities and seniors elsewhere. The project will address four areas of opportunity for better osteoporosis management and action: the evaluation of hip fracture patients flowing through rehabilitation; the screening of patients admitted to long-term care facilities; education in seniors' communities and working with radiologists to identify vertebral fractures on chest x-rays. "We are hopeful the results of this project will help us better understand osteoporosis management and action," says Jim Weese, Dean of Western's Faculty of Health Sciences. "Patients and health-care providers are at the heart of everything we do," says Jeff Davis, General Manager, P&G Pharmaceuticals Canada. "P&G Pharmaceuticals is delighted to support this important project that will help deliver improved patient outcomes." Media contact: Douglas Keddy, Research Communications Coordinator, The University of Western Ontario, (519) 661-2111 ext. 87485, dkeddy@uwo.ca - 30 - About The Alliance for Better Bone Health The Alliance for Better Bone Health was formed by Procter & Gamble and Aventis, now a member of the sanofi-aventis Group, in May 1997 to promote bone health and disease awareness through numerous activities that support physicians and patients around the globe and to market Actonel™. For more information on The Alliance for Better Bone Health, please visit www.bonehealth.ca. About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Always®, Pantene®, Mach3®. Bounty®, Pringles®, Swiffer®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Clairol Nice'n Easy®, Herbal Essences®, Head & Shoulders®, Gillette®, and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. P&G is one of the leading consumer products companies in Canada with over $2.7 billion in annual sales. Please visit www.pgcanada.ca for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands. P&G Pharmaceuticals is a division of P&G Health Care with products such as Actonel®, Didrocal®, Asacol®, MacroBID®, and Dantrium®. About sanofi-aventis
The sanofi-aventis Group is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. The sanofi-aventis Group is listed in Paris (EURONEX: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). Media Newsroom is updated daily by the Media Relations staff at the Department of Communications and Public Affairs.
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