What we do

The National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA) brings together the expertise and resources of partners from the non-profit, public and for-profit sectors to: promote bone health and prevent disease; improve diagnosis and treatment of bone disease; and enhance bone research, surveillance and evaluation.

NBHA offers a platform for members of the bone health community to:

• weigh in on subjects important to bone health, particularly vitamin D, calcium, dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) reimbursement and utilization and the risks and benefits of use of bisphosphonates and other bone health therapies;
• maintain ongoing communication among individuals and organizations interested in bone health;
• pool funding in support of shared priorities and projects; and
• work together towards the goals and recommendations of the National Action Plan on Bone Health.

Major Initiatives

NBHA is implementing three major initiatives in support of its “20/20” vision to reduce the incidence of bone breaks 20% by the year 2020 and improve the overall health and quality of life of all Americans by enhancing their bone health. These include:

Advocating for the widespread implementation of Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) programs that coordinate post-fracture care led by an FLS coordinator (a nurse or other allied health professional) who ensures that individuals who suffer a fracture receive appropriate diagnosis, treatment and support.

Standardization of bone turnover marker sample collection procedures and establishment of a U.S. reference range for bone formation and resorption markers, which will allow clinicians to use bone turnover markers in osteoporosis management and treatment.

An awareness campaign, 2Million2Many, which highlights the connection between fractures and osteoporosis and the two million bone breaks each year that are no accident but signs of osteoporosis.

NBHA also hosts a rare bone disease working group exploring potential efforts in rare bone disease.

History of NBHA

The 2004 Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General called for public and private stakeholders in the area of bone health to join forces to develop a National Action Plan.

The Summit for a National Action Plan for Bone Health, convened in June 2008, involved more than 150 individuals representing an array of stakeholders. The recommendations contained in the summit report focused on four priority areas: develop a bone health alliance; promote bone health and prevent disease; improve diagnosis and treatment; and enhance research, surveillance and evaluation.

A small group of founding members has grown to include 54 member organizations (35 non-profit organizations and 19 companies), 5 federal government liaisons and several initiatives.