English
Icelandic Osteoporosis Society
The Icelandic Osteoporosis Society was established in 1997. The Icelandic name is BEINVERND which means Bone-protection. It is a society of professionals and lay-people. Founder: Ólafur Ólafsson, former Director General of Health.
Chairman: Dr. Björn Guðbjörnsson
Director: Halldóra Björnsdóttir.
Aims:
- To enhance the awareness of the public and the health authorities on osteoporosis as a health problem
- To educate the public and health professionals on osteoporosis
- To put more emphasis on research on the nature, etiology and problems of osteoporosis and prevention of osteoporosis
- To contact and cooperate with osteoporosis societies in other countries.
In Iceland about 1000 persons get fractures due to osteoporosis. Yearly there are 2-300 hip fractures and 300 spine fractures. The treatment of each hip fracture costs approximately 1.5 million ISK and then there is the cost of suffering of the patients themselves. Around a quarter of women getting a hip fracture risk death in the first year after the fracture. Prevention plays a big role in the fight against osteoporosis and the Icelandic Osteoporosis Society considers it their duty to enhance education and research on the prevention and treatment of the disease.
Information and education:
The societies committee on education and research has held conferences for health professional on osteoporosis as well as lectures and meetings for the public and written articles in professional and public papers and magazines.
Publication:
The society has published several booklets on osteoporosis which are also available from our website and educational material for elementary and secondary school. Our school educational material is available on the website in English
A brochure on osteoporosis and its risk factors – Beinvernd. In cooperation with the Directorate of Health.
A brochure on osteoporosis and physical activity – Líkamshreyfing og beinþynning. In cooperation with Farmasía a pharmaceutical company.
A brochure on osteoporosis and lifestyles – Hollusta styrkir bein. In cooperation with the Icelandic Dairy-production.
A study material for the subject Lifeskills – I am what I choose.
1. – 4. grade 6. grade 9. grade
Regional societies:
Four regional societies have been founded. In the western, northern, eastern and southern part of Iceland. Their aim is to take care of information, education and other activities in their region.
International cooperation:
The Icelandic Osteoporosis Society is a member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, IOF.
Beinvernd c/o Health Promotion Iceland
Post box 161
270 Mosfellsbær
Iceland
Fax: +354 510 1919
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
