[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 110 (Friday, June 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 32334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12756]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Call for Collaborating Partners for the National Bone Health 
Campaign

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office on Women's 
Health.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office 
on Women's Health (OWH) announces its new leadership of the National 
Bone Health Campaign and invites public and private sector bone health- 
and girls' health-related organizations to participate as collaborating 
partners to provide advice on the development and dissemination of the 
campaign materials and messages.

DATES: Representatives of bone health and girls' health organizations 
should submit expressions of interest by June 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest, comments, and questions may be 
submitted by electronic mail to [email protected] [email protected]>; or by regular mail to Calvin Teel, M.S., Public 
Health Advisor, Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and 
Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room 16A-55, 
Rockville, Maryland 20857, or via fax to (301) 443-1384.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Calvin Teel, M.S., Public Health 
Advisor, Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human 
Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room 16A-55, Rockville, 
Maryland 20857, (301) 443-4422 (telephone), (301) 443-1384 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OWH was established in 1991 to improve 
the health of American women by advancing and coordinating a 
comprehensive women's health agenda throughout HHS. This program has 
two goals: development and implementation of model programs on women's 
health; and leading education, collaboration, and coordination on 
women's health. The program fulfills its mission through competitive 
contracts and grants to an array of community, academic, and other 
organizations at the national and community levels. National 
educational campaigns provide information about the important steps 
women and girls can take to improve and maintain their health.
    In addition to womenshealth.gov, OWH produces girlshealth.gov, a 
Web site dedicated to providing relevant, trustworthy, and commercial-
free health information for girls ages 10-16. The Web site gives girls 
reliable information on the health issues they will face as they become 
young women. Under the purview of OWH, the Web site for the National 
Bone Health Campaign, girlshealth.gov/bones, will be accessible through 
the girlshealth.gov site to reach girls ages 9 to 14 with the goal of 
increasing calcium and vitamin D consumption and weight-bearing 
physical activity.
    In 2004, the Surgeon General exhorted public, private, nonprofit, 
academic, and scientific stakeholders to increase awareness about bone 
health. The Surgeon General stated that, by 2020, half of all Americans 
older than age 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis. His 
report emphasized prevention of osteoporosis in adolescence through 
increased calcium and vitamin D consumption and weight-bearing physical 
activity.
    Osteoporosis has been called a ``pediatric disease with geriatric 
consequences.'' Though the disease most often strikes later in life, 
the stage is set during adolescence, when almost one-half of the adult 
skeleton is formed. In addition some groups, such as those with 
anorexia nervosa, can develop osteoporosis much earlier. Sadly, only 15 
percent of adolescent girls get enough calcium, according to the 
National Osteoporosis Foundation. The Surgeon General's Report also 
cited one study that found only half of the participants ages 12-21 
exercise vigorously on a regular basis and 25 percent report no 
exercise at all.
    The National Bone Health Campaign is intended to help girls adopt 
healthy habits, specifically increased calcium and vitamin D 
consumption and weight-bearing physical activity, to build strong 
bones. The campaign will plan, develop, implement, and evaluate a 
national social marketing campaign to increase awareness of bone-
healthy habits and affect behavior change. The campaign will target the 
girls, their parents, and healthcare providers.
    In order to implement the National Bone Health Campaign, OWH is 
interested in establishing partnerships with private and public bone 
health- and girls' health-related organizations. As partners with HHS, 
these health organizations can bring their ideas and expertise, 
administrative capabilities, and resources that are consistent with the 
goals of the National Bone Health Campaign.
    Given the National Bone Health Campaign's objectives, entities that 
have similar goals and consistent interests, appropriate expertise and 
resources, and would like to pursue bone health awareness activities in 
collaboration with OWH are encouraged to reply to this notice. Working 
together, these partnerships will provide innovative opportunities to 
promote an increased national awareness of positive bone-healthy 
behaviors, with the end goal of increased calcium and vitamin D 
consumption and weight-bearing physical activity.

    Dated: May 28, 2008.
Wanda K. Jones,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health).
[FR Doc. E8-12756 Filed 6-5-08; 8:45 am]
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