fbpx

American Bone Health has closed.  However, on October 1, 2023, we joined forces with the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) so that BHOF could continue offering all of the important programs and services created by American Bone Health. Please visit www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org for more information about the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.

Share. Print. Save.

Our History

American Bone Health was incorporated on May 1, 1990 as the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE) in Oakland, California. Our founders were members of the medical community and patient advocates who were beginning to understand the devastating effects of osteoporosis on adults who were living longer.

American Bone Health is a national, community-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on public education and advocacy. We reach people by recruiting, training and nurturing a national network of peer educators who deliver local programs in their communities to raise awareness and generate healthy actions by consumers to improve bone health and reduce osteoporosis and fractures. These passionate volunteers engage, educate and empower people to take actions to improve their bone health and reduce bone loss, osteoporosis and fractures.

American Bone Health is a leader and collaborator in promoting bone health and fracture prevention throughout the country.

1990

The Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE) was incorporated in California on May 1, 1990 as a 501(c)3 community benefit organization. FORE was one of the first organizations in the San Francisco East Bay to provide bone density testing and became a research center for phase 3 and 4 clinical trials for osteoporosis medicines.

1992

Started publishing and mailing a semi-annual FOREFront newsletter with updates on osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment and tips on bone health.

1996

Published the first Osteoporosis Guidelines for the Physician on osteoporosis diagnosis, treatment and management.

Began a landmark community osteoporosis screening program (using forearm bone density machines and licensed technicians) at Long’s Drugstores throughout California, Nevada and Hawaii. Community screening reached over 200,000 people.

Became accredited provider of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education. Hosted over 50 Bone and Mineral Club Meetings for physicians and other health care providers featuring experts in all areas of bone and mineral metabolism.

2000

At the request of the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, developed and launched a 3 day, 24 hour, bone density certification course for technicians that included didactic instruction, labs and clinical experience. Certified over 1,600 technicians between 2000 and 2017. 

2002

Developed a National Osteoporosis Awareness Campaign Plan for the US Administration on Aging. Nearly 100 individuals and organizations were recruited to participate in its development. (Campaign published in 2004).

Our visionary leader, Alta Diamond, passed away.  She touched many lives and her spunk and graciousness are legend in Oakland. She died at the age of 97, yet continues to inspire us to reach more people and teach them what is known about osteoporosis. Alta was instrumental in taking the organization from a small treatment center at then Providence Hospital to a national, community-based research and education center. Alta Diamond realized that not enough was being done to educate the public or medical professionals about osteoporosis and was determined to see that change. As an individual with osteoporosis herself, she was well known for boldly exclaiming to both friends and strangers alike, “I have osteoporosis and you should get tested too!” Thank you, Alta!

2003

Facilitated the strategic planning process for the California Department of Public Health’s Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program (COPE) with a state-wide coalition of stakeholders resulting in A Promise of Lifelong Bone Health to address osteoporosis in California.

Our Community Screening team  scanned 600 people at three San Francisco Safeway stores during Osteoporosis Awareness Month. The customer response was so enthusiastic that Safeway’s Regional Pharmacy Manager has asked us to provide bone density screening at Safeway’s stores throughout Northern California.

2004

Received recognition for our outreach efforts with a resolution presented by 12 State senators at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, CA.

Participated in the workshop to develop the Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General, published by U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, MD, issued on October 14, 2004. Dr. Carmona noted that “Osteoporosis isn’t just your grandmother’s disease. We all need to take better care of our bones.” Dr. Carmona said. “The good news is that you are never too old or too young to improve your bone health.”

Completed a community exercise program for individuals who were recovering from lower limb fractures with the OsteoLife team of three physical therapists that demonstrated significant improvement in strength, gait velocity and balance. The number of individuals using assistive devices also reduced. By the end of the program, fall risk had decreased by 31%, the number of fallers by 44% and the number of falls by 30%. In addition, participants showed signifi cant improvement in psychological well-being indicating that improvement in physical performance preceded increases in confidence and quality of life.

Educated baseball fans at the Oakland A’s Coliseum about osteoporosis through educational literature, scoreboard messages and unique prizes from Oakland A’s stars Jason Giambi, Eric Chavez, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. 

2005 

Published the photo-essay book Faces of Osteoporosis, reflecting the diversity of people with osteoporosis and a forward by Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Sponsored a colloquium on bone health in young female athletes. The participants identified a syndrome that highlights the crucial role nutrition plays both in peak performance and the long term bone health of female athletes. Out of the colloquium came the Athletic Energy Deficit (AED) Prevention Project. Aimed at young female athletes and active girls ages 10 to 18, the project encourages young female athletes to develop strong, healthy bones so they can compete throughout their lives. The expert participants included Co-Chairs Claude Arnaud MD, FACE (Mill Valley, CA) and Barbara Drinkwater PhD, FACSM (International Olympic Committee, Seattle, WA); Shona Bass PhD (Deakin University, Australia); Kristen Cobb PhD (Stanford University); Mary Jane DeSouza PhD, FACSM, (University of Toronto); Melinda M. Manore PhD, RD (University of Oregon); Margo Mountjoy MD, CCFP, FCFP (IOC Medical Commission); Ron Thompson PhD, FAED, (Indiana University); Nancy Williams PhD (Penn State University); and Mary Wilfert (NCAA).

Under the leadership of Dr. Claude Arnaud, formed the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board with world renown experts to guide the organization as it created evidence-based tools and resources for the public. Founding members included Claude Arnaud MD, Bruce Ettinger MD, Betsy Love McClung NP, Michael McClung MD, Dolores Shoback MD, and Frederick Singer MD. We are grateful to them for their belief in our mission.

 

2006

Published Compromising the Competitive Edge: Athletic Energy Deficit (AED) Impacts Bone Health resulting from the 2005 symposium.  NIKE Sports Research Institute printed and distributed the guide. 

Began an Ambassador Program to educate middle and high school coaches and parents about Athletic Energy Deficit.

Published the policy brief, Osteoporosis Detection in Older Adults: A Case for Community-Based Osteoporosis Education and Screening to Improve Bone Health for Older Adults for improving identification of low bone mass and osteoporosis among older adults by supporting community-based education and screening to reduce the risk of life altering fractures. The brief reported the results of osteoporosis screening for over 4,500 underserved older adults in Contra Costa County, CA.

2007

Launched American Bone Health to help Americans of all ages understand, identify, treat and prevent bone disease and fractures. With the backing of evidence-based research vetted by its Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, American Bone Health was charged to dedicate its resources to help people fight and prevent bone disease through education and community support. “We are fortunate to accomplish this dream of bringing osteoporosis research and prevention information to all Americans through the aggressive public education programs we plan to launch with American Bone Health”, says Amy Anderson, President of the Board of Directors. “Americans of all ages need to know what they can do to build and maintain strong bones throughout their lifetimes.” President of the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Claude Arnaud fervently believed there are important messages that people need to understand bone health and osteoporosis prevention. “American Bone Health will help translate the latest in science in a way that consumers can use.”

FORE recruited over 300 women age 50–90 who had a fracture to study their bone quality.

American Bone Health launched its Bone Health Hotline, staffed to help people over the phone who have questions about their bone health.

2008

American Bone Health released the FORE Fracture Risk CalculatorTM, developed by Dr. Bruce Ettinger as a tool to help patients and their health care providers talk about bone health management.  The tool was validated with a database from Kaiser Northern California of 100,000 women and nearly 6,000 men from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study. The validations were published in the American Journal of Managed Care and the Journal of Clinical Densitometry.

Worked with La Clínica de La Raza and Latino Consultants to deliver an effective community-based intervention for Latinos in Contra Costa County, CA that included training of local Promotores on bone health, community outreach events and health fairs led by Promotores, bus and transit posters, and osteoporosis screening and testing.   

2009

Sponsored Put a Brake on Fractures, a San Francisco Bay Area awareness campaign featured on CBS-KPIX TV with a call for people to learn their fracture risk. Nearly 4,000 individuals completed the online FORE Fracture Risk Calulator that was modified for consumer use.

Released a “batch” feature of the FORE Fracture Risk Calculator for use with large patient populations and validated the tool at Kaiser Southern California and Santa Clara Medical Center. Dr. Joan Lo and her colleagues published the resulted in the American Journal of Managed Care concluding that the tool can be used with large population databases to help stratify at-risk individuals.

2010 

 

Expanded osteoporosis awareness month education campaigns with CBS5 to Chicago, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco Bay Area with a link to the FORE Fracture Risk Calculator resulting in 4,600 people who used the tool during May. Total campaign impressions were nearly 3 million. Recognized by the Mature Market Research Center for innovative service for older adults and their families.

Began the Peer Educator training program with a comprehensive, but easily understood curriculum, offered by Program Director Beverley Tracewell RN through teleconferencing and the internet. With this training, volunteers were taught to speak with confidence about bone health in their communities.

American Bone Health conducted 3.3K Walk Tall for Life in San Francisco.

Launched a Spanish language awareness campaign with Univision San Francisco to use the FORE-Fracture Risk Calculator — Español. Un mensaje para su bienestar de American Bone Health y Univision 14; patrocinado por Lilly USA. 

Recognized by the American Public Health Association for the 2009 awareness campaign with CBS-TV for its innovative communication approach to health and aging.

2011

Published award-winning Do It Right! and Prevent Fractures! booklet in collaboration with Sherry Betz PT DPT, showing proper posture and body mechanics. The booklet was endorsed by the Bone Health Special Interest Group of the Section of Geriatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association. 

Partnered with Women in Government (representing 1,800 female legislators around the country) to lead 3.3 K Bone Health Walks and consultations at their regional meetings in Denver, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and Charleston.

Launched The Bone Health Lecture Series at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula under the leadership of Board Member Gina Enriquez. The series featured talks by clinical experts at the hospital and in the community addressing aspects of bone health.

Completed clinical research trials and stopped accepting new ones.

2012

Held Bone Health Workshops in Mandarin and Cantonese in San Francisco and New York City for over 300 Chinese adults.

Collaborating with the American Academy of Pediatrics, convened an interdisciplinary panel to review and discuss strategies to improve bone development and reduce the incidences of Athletic Energy Deficit in children.

Released a major revision of the FORE Fracture Risk Calculator (FRC) to include the option of entering vertebral fractures, spine T-score and the dose amount of steroid medicine. These changes improved the ability of the tool to better predict 10-year fracture risk. The FORE FRC was featured in a presentation by Dr. William Leslie at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Certified 53 individuals to sit for their limited license in bone densitometry with the State of California. The 3-day lecture, lab and clinical instruction course allowed us to provide free bone density tests for 267 people who would not have had access to testing.  

2013

Launched first “Signature Event” called Freedom From Fractures™ at 30 Sam’s Club stores in California in partnership with the California Dietetic Association, the Dairy Council of California and Silk brand beverages. 

Bone health education grew by 30%, with education programs reaching 23,000 people in 23 states. Use of the FORE Fracture Risk Calculator saw a 54% increase over 2012 with 65,000 calculations made.

Held a 2.6 K public awareness walk and exercise clinic at Southdale Center in Edina, MN.

Highlighted the importance of bone health in children and athletes with a community affairs program on Radio Disney with Clara Peterson and Dr. Rebecca Demorest.

Charles Schwab Inc and Destination Wealth Management sponsored a golf tournament to raise money for the Peer Educator Training Program.

2014

Pioneered workshops to encourage the safe modifications of yoga, Pilates and general exercise. A Bone-Safe Yoga workshop was held in Oakland, CA; Bone-Safe Exercise class in Boston, MA; and Bone-Safe Pilates workshops in Livermore CA, Chicago IL and Miami FL.

Reached over 189,000 Americans in a variety of programs. We now have trained peer educators doing these programs in 30 states. 

Partnered with CBS HealthWatch™ on an osteoporosis awareness campaign expanded to five metropolitan markets.

Trained and deployed 138 peer educators to 36 Walgreen’s stores in California for the 2nd annual Freedom From Fractures™ awareness event. Of those screened, nearly three quarters were found to be at moderate or high risk for having a fracture in the next 10 years. Only 32% of high risk customers and only 26% of moderate risk customers reported having had a bone density test.

Held first 3-hour Bone Health Workshop featuring Dr. David Karpf and a series of bone health screenings for participants at the Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA.

After five successful years of helping girls build strong bones, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) awarded American Bone Health exclusive license to Best Bones Forever!, its bone health campaign for adolescent girls. “We are excited about the future Best Bones Forever! has at American Bone Health,” said Kathleen Cody, Executive Director. “This age group has a small window of opportunity to build a good skeletal foundation and we are thrilled to build on OWH’s successes so that we can keep the momentum going and continue to help girls—and boys—prevent osteoporosis later in life.”

2015

Peer Educators collectively donated over 10,000 hours of service to teach others in their community about bone health. 110 new Peer Educators joined the team. Peer Educators have various backgrounds like nutrition, physical therapy, exercise, and education. All Peer Educators get over 9 hours of training and are sent education materials for the programs they deliver. 

3rd Annual Freedom Fractures Screening event launched nationally at Independent Living communities around the country. Collaborated with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and Freedom From Fractures™ to hospital locations.

Launched second “Signature Event” called Stepping Out Strong™ held at YMCA’s and studios throughout the country to bring awareness to fall prevention.

2016

225 new Peer Educators joined the team. Collectively they reached over 266,000 people in person at bone health events around the country.

New “Signature Event” added called The Calcium Challenge™ was launched at ShopRite stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland and run by registered dietitians.

Along with the 4th annual Freedom From Fractures event, held a companion CBS television campaign in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Miami featuring Dr. Risa Kagan, member of our Medical & Scientific Advisory Board. Over 5 million people were reached in the campaign.

The Best Bones Forever! Bone Health Clinic for Middle Schoolers was piloted at the Highland Recreation Center in San Mateo CA.

Dr. Claude Arnaud, one of the pioneers in the field of bone health, passed away in March, 2016. Dr. Arnaud had many academic and research accolades to his credit, from the Mayo Clinic to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to the University of San Francisco to American Bone Health. In 1985, Dr. Arnaud selected and recruited leaders in the field of bone health to become our Medical & Scientific Advisory Board. He deftly steered their discussions on scientific topics that needed to be explained to the public. Dr. Arnaud encouraged us to stretch and guided us to focus on service that would make a difference to people of all ages. We continue this work in his honor.

Dr. Pete Meyer served on the American Bone Health Board of Directors from 2009 until 2013 and continued to participate in the organization after retiring. Drawing from his skills in organizational development, he facilitated strategic meetings of the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, the Corporate Advisory Board and the Board of Directors. He was passionate about bone health in children, especially as he watched his own grandchildren excel in sports as teenagers.

2017

196 new Peer Educators joined the team. Collectively they reached nearly 661,000 people in person at bone health events around the country. This year marks 7 years since launching the Peer Educator program. Thanks to caring volunteers, American Bone Health has reached over 1,125,000 older adults (that’s the equivalent of 50 Madison Square Gardens)!

The Calcium Challenge™  was held at 65 ShopRite stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York during National Dairy Month in June with support from Cabot Creamery Co-operative, Lactaid and the American Dairy Association of the North East. 

Signature Events continue to grow and Bone Health Fairs are held in Oakland, Panorama Health in Denver and O’Connor Hospital in San Jose. 

The 5th annual Freedom From Fractures™ 246 Peer Educators screened 929 people at 41 locations in 20 states and counseled them on how to reduce their chances of breaking a bone. Thanks to an educational grant from Amgen, had a companion CBS television campaign. The 30 second TV ad received over 11 million positive impressions for the campaign across four key US markets (San Francisco, Denver, Miami and Philadelphia). A digital campaign drove 1.4 million unique impressions in 13 markets.

Heather “The Heat” Hadley talked about bone health for World Osteoporosis Day. She is a 15 year old go-kart racer who has won over 100 races in her age division. 

2018

American Bone Health Peer Educators reached over 1 million people with important bone health messages.

In addition to our basic bone health talk, Healthy Bones for Life™, our three Signature Programs deeply dive into important aspects of bone health and fracture prevention. People leave events with a roadmap for better bone health. 

American Bone Health Peer Educator, Brookes McIntyre and students from Central New Mexico Community College conducted balance testing at the New Mexico State Senior Olympics. Supported with an education grant from Juvent.

Continued partnering with organizations to provide three-hour Bone Health Workshops.

American Bone Health reached on to college campuses to train the sisters of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority and launh the Bone Health Initiative at UC Berkeley to raise awareness for bone health and conduct community events focused on fracture prevention, nutrition, and strength and balance.

2019

Held 570 community events for more than 17,000 people.

Partnered with Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer charity, to educate and empower women with tools and information to improve their bone health. Through a media and educational campaign, American Bone Health spread bone health messages to Komen’s active and engaged community of cancer survivors, their supporters and loved ones.

Partnered with Presbyterian Hospital (Albuquerque, NM), Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Barrow, Braselton and Gainesville, GA), Mount Sinai (Queens, NY),  E-PARC (San Diego, CA), Oasis Institute (St. Louis, MO), and The Lake Merritt (Oakland, CA) to provide Bone Health Workshops to their communities.

Shared information on bone health in the Athletes Village at the National Senior Olympics in Albuquerque NM. 

Co-sponsered the Power Up Your Body Challenge for middle school children at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey featuring Peer Educators Rebekah Rotstein and Ola Stacha-Fleming as judges.

Expanded outreach in the Spanish speaking community with the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino, CA and Peer Educator Teresita Rojas.

Formal Peer Educator Training began in 2010.

The on-line training program is uses The Osteoporosis Book by Gwen Ellert RN as a reference text. The program concludes with a coach call and discussion of getting started with community programs.

The numbers of Peer Educators trained has grown by about 30% every year since.

In 2018, we began a program with the sorority Delta Phi Lambda to train their sisters at all of the campuses in the country and continue to look for groups to work with who want to educate their communities about bone health and fracture prevention.

FORE was the first organization in the area to begin bone density testing and as research in the field of osteoporosis intensified, FORE became a clinical site for phase 3 and phase 4 investigational studies of the developing treatments for osteoporosis.

In 1995, the FDA approved the first treatment (Fosamax) and the first portable bone density machine that tested the non-dominant forearm. The results of the portable machine proved to be highly correlated with the results of central bone density tests of the hip and spine (DXA). These two breakthroughs gave FORE new opportunities to take this screening and education to thousands who would otherwise not have had access to diagnosis.

In 2004, the Board of Directors voted to discontinue clinical trials to focus on public education. All trials were complete by 2011.

In 2017, bone density testing was discontinued and all patient records and equipment treansferred to a local radiology practice. This marked the complete transfer of focus and effort on engaging, educating, and empowering the public to build and keep strong bones and avoid fractures.  

In 1996, FORE began a landmark program that would distinguish them from any similar non-profit or for-profit organization. In partnership with a major west coast drug store chain, FORE began taking portable bone density testing machines into drugstores throughout Northern California and adjoining states. The response was strong and the results startling. Almost half of the men and women tested had low bone density placing them at increased risk for future fractures. This advance warning of risk allowed patients to develop prevention and treatment plans with their physicians.  The community screening program reached over 120,000 men and women at grocery and drug stores, work sites, health fairs, senior centers, HUD housing, churches and doctors’ offices. Many of these patients would not otherwise have had access to bone density screening. In partnership with Bank of America, FORE also conducted the largest employer work site osteoporosis screening program in the country, and has presented its findings at numerous national scientific meetings. 

Guidelines for Physicians

When osteoporosis treatments became available, FORE developed professional education programs for clinicians to help them understand the implications of the disease and manage their patient population. In 1996, FORE published Guidelines of Care on the Treatment of Osteoporosis -these were among the first clinical guidelines published, and certainly the first to address a wide range of patient groups. 

Continuing Medical Education

By 1997, FORE was sponsoring 4-6 professional education programs per year bringing world-renowned speakers to discuss emerging topics in bone health. FORE held annual Primary Care Physician conferences and Allied Health Practitioners conferences, plus smaller group discussions, and case study dinners. In 1998, FORE launched its web site and was accredited by the California Medical Association to provide Continuing Education for physicians.

In 2007, the Board of Directors agreed to discontinue CME in favor of directing organizational resources to public education.

Bone Density Technician Certification 

In 1999, the State of California asked FORE to develop a certification school to prepare technicians to obtain their limited permit in bone densitometry. The 26-hour course was developed to include didactic lectures, labs and practical experience. Courses were held on weekends and allowed FORE to offer free bone density testing to underserved adults in the Bay Area. Over the years, FORE trained and certified 40-60 students a year.

In 2017, FORE transferred the course curriculum to UC San Diego and discontinued the program to focus on public eduation. 

Always working to help consumers and patients understand how to prevent bone loss and broken bones with sensible and easy to use information and tools, FORE launched American Bone Health in 2007 to expand its community outreach efforts. Knowing the importance of one-on-one interactions, volunteers are trained as Peer Educators to conduct bone health programs in their communities. The Peer Educator network has grown to reach thousands of people each year.

American Bone Health engages, educates and empowers people to build and keep strong bones for life.