Patient, healthcare professional or researcher -- child, teen, adult or senior -- if you're visiting us to answer a question, to find information, or to participate in an activity, thank your bones and joints for bringing you here. Think about it: if the bones and joints in your body are strong and flexible, they move smoothly. And that means life can be fun, and appreciated fully.

For nearly one in two Americans over the age of 18,˜and for many children, movement is restricted by a musculoskeletal disorder - arthritis, back pain, fracture, osteoporosis, or sports trauma. That's where the United States Bone and Joint Initiative comes in.

As part of the worldwide Bone and Joint Decade, U.S. patient and physician healthcare organizations, government agencies, and industry, have come together to improve prevention of bone and joint disorders, and to improve the quality of life for those affected. This goal begins with increased awareness, solid information and increased research. It begins here.

• Best Practices in Patient-Centered Musculoskeletal Care Summit - November 18-19, 2013

  REGISTRATION NOW OPEN for the 2013 MSK Summit, November 18-19, Washington, DC

  You must register by October 25th to receive the special rate of $219 at the Washington Court Hotel.

  Please click on "Best Practices in Patient-Centered Musculoskeletal Care Summit" above for more information, and REGISTRATION NOW OPEN for the Registration Form.

• Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week - October 12-20
• Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States: Prevalence, Societal and Economic Cost - Presenting a compelling argument for greater understanding and expanding research
• Global Burden of Disease Data, published in The Lancet, December 15, 2012
• Chronic Osteoarthritis Management Initiative (COAMI)
• Experts in Arthritis - A Free Public Seminar for People with Arthritis and People Who Care About Them
• Fit to a T - An Education Program on Bone Health and Osteoporosis
  • Schedule a Session Today - Free Public Education Program
• Medical school curriculum recommendations
• Musculoskeletal Summits
  • The Value in Musculoskeletal Care
  • Bone and Joint Decade Global Network Conference
• PB&J - Protect Your Bones and Joints - A High School Education Program
• Pediatric Specialty Group
• Rare Bone Disease Patient Network
• 2012 Rare Bone Disease Research Summit:˜ Future Directions
• USBJI Newsletter
• Young Investigators Initiative - Application deadlines January 15 and July 15