Advocacy

Advocacy Efforts

The Georgia Commission on Women (GCOW) led an advocacy effort to provide funding for community and professional education to decrease the prevalence of osteoporosis and reduce the rate of osteoporosis fractures.

Out of this effort the Osteoporosis Initiative Steering Committee (OISC) was formed. The OISC was formed to bring together strategic private/public partnerships to establish a comprehensive plan to help Georgians decrease their risk of osteoporosis and reduce the incidence of fractures.

Overall Goals

• To prevent osteoporosis in all age groups, races and genders
• To reduce the complications associated with already established osteoporosis
• To decrease health care costs associated with osteoporosis
• To improve the quality of life for Georgia's citizens

Specific Goals of OISC

• Create partnerships with other organizations
• Enhance public awareness and education
• Initiate community interventions
• Develop a continuous evaluation component

The OISC consists of leadership from major state organizations including DHR-Division of Public Health and Division of Aging, DCH-Office of Women's Health, the Georgia Commission on Women and the University of Georgia. In addition there are over 25 private agencies and organizations involved in sharing ideas and developing projects to meet the goals of their strategic plan. Additionally, a medical advisory panel has been established to review OISC efforts and make recommendations.

From the efforts of the OISC, the Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative (GOI) was formed. The overall goal of GOI is to reduce the prevalence of osteoporosis and decrease osteoporosis-related fractures. The overall educational and intervention goals revolve around:

• Improving dietary choices
• Increasing physical activity to promote optimal bone health
• Reducing bone loss in adults