The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 – How Far Have We Come?
Abstract
We are now a little over halfway through the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD), 2000–2010. Musculoskeletal conditions and musculoskeletal science are appearing on national research agendas and in several healthcare initiatives around the world and, as a result, more resources are being channelled into the musculoskeletal field. This article will highlight the development of the BJD international movement and give examples of initiatives that have been driven by BJD co-operative work.
The BJD mission focuses on musculoskeletal conditions, the most costly of all disease categories. Musculoskeletal conditions affect one in four adults and account for a quarter of the total global cost of illness. They are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability. In 2002, musculoskeletal conditions and injuries were responsible for 16% of the total hospital costs (€36 billion) and more then 40% of all sick leave from work, resulting in overall costs of more than €100 billion – equal to 4.8% of the gross national income of Germany. Within only 15 years, the hospitalisation burden of these conditions is expected to increase by 50–70% in Germany alone. Unless action is taken, the financial burden that musculoskeletal conditions exert upon healthcare systems worldwide will continue to increase.
The BJD was established in 2000 with a focus on improving the health-related quality of life of the millions of people who are affected by musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. However, no single organisation alone can accomplish the desired benefits for individuals or families who are affected by musculoskeletal conditions.
The initiative originated with healthcare professionals and patient advocates from several countries who believe that the significant and growing impact from bone and joint disease on society, healthcare systems and individuals must be addressed at the international level, with particular focus on the local use of resources. Inspired by the success of the Decade of the Brain (1990–2000), which served to raise awareness of the impact of mental disorders and led to significant scientific advances, the BJD was launched in January 2000 in Geneva, Switzerland, with a World Health Organization (WHO) conference entitled ‘The Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions at the Start of the New Millennium’.
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