'Dance with Joy, Love Her 50+': Osteoporosis Community Screening and Free Clinic Initiative Officially Launches in Shanghai
MSD
Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturer
Shanghai, January 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, under the guidance of the Health Development Research Center of the National Health Commission, the "Joyful Bone Dance, Love Her 50+" osteoporosis (hereinafter referred to as "osteoporosis") grassroots community screening and free clinic project, initiated by the Beijing Dayi Public Welfare Foundation and supported by MSD and other companies, was officially launched in Shanghai. Leaders from the Health Development Research Center of the National Health Commission, leaders from the Beijing Dayi Public Welfare Foundation, numerous authoritative experts in the field of orthopedics, and representatives from community hospitals attended the launch ceremony.
Group Photo of the Launch Meeting for the "Joyful Bone Dance, Love Her 50+" Project
Leaders of the Health Development Research Center of the National Health Commission stated, “As China enters an aging society, the health needs of middle-aged and elderly people are becoming increasingly prominent. Osteoporosis, characterized by high prevalence and severity but low rates of diagnosis and treatment, poses significant risks of disability and death, and imposes a substantial burden on families and society that cannot be overlooked. This project, piloted in Shanghai, aims to explore a primary care-based osteoporosis management model that can be implemented nationwide by improving community screening and diagnosis rates, optimizing primary healthcare resources, and enhancing service capacity. The initiative seeks to help patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby facilitating the implementation of the Healthy China Action at the community level.””
Low Screening and Diagnosis Rates: The Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis Remain Concerning
The results of the 2018 National Epidemiological Survey on Osteoporosis, released by the National Health Commission of China, indicate that osteoporosis has become a significant health issue among individuals aged 50 and older in China. The prevalence rate in this age group is 19.2%, with osteoporosis being particularly severe among women, reaching a prevalence of 32.1%. Among women aged 65 and older, the prevalence rate rises to 51.6%, which is significantly higher than that in European and American countries.[1]
Leaders of the Health Development Research Center under the National Health Commission pointed out that the continuously rising prevalence of osteoporosis not only threatens the health of a vast number of patients but also poses hidden risks to families and the healthcare system. According to the 2017 "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis," hip fractures caused by osteoporosis are showing a significant upward trend. The treatment and care of fractures in middle-aged and elderly individuals require substantial investments of human, material, and financial resources. These fractures are not only one of the main causes of death and disability among elderly patients but also result in significant waste of social medical resources.[2]
Leaders of the Beijing Dayi Public Welfare Foundation stated：“BoneHigh Prevalence and Severity of Osteoporosis, longThe current status of diagnosis and treatment has long been unsatisfactory, primarily due to two reasons: first, the general public lacks proper understanding of the disease, with gaps and misconceptions in healthcare-seeking behavior; second, the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of primary care providers and medical institutions for osteoporosis need improvement. Only by shifting the screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis to the community level can we help numerous potential patients optimize their care pathways and access timely and convenient treatment.”
Shifting the Focus Upstream and Preventing Problems Before They Arise: Osteoporosis Diagnosis Enters the Community
“Joyful Bones, Loving Her 50+” Project Officially Launched to Address Challenges in Primary Osteoporosis ManagementLeaders of the Beijing Dayi Public Welfare Foundation introduced that the project aims to improve patients’ healthcare-seeking attitudes and enhance primary care capabilities. Over the next six months, a series of activities—including community-based screening and free clinics, disease education, physician training, and experience sharing—will be carried out across 11 primary healthcare institutions in Shanghai’s Xuhui, Minhang, Putuo, and Changning districts. These initiatives are designed to strengthen community physicians’ abilities to identify, diagnose, and treat high-risk osteoporosis populations, optimize osteoporosis diagnostic protocols in primary hospitals, and reinforce patient education and management.
Leveraging Shanghai’s medical and economic advantages, Phase I of the project will unite government bodies, foundations, healthcare institutions, enterprises, media, and other stakeholders to provide osteoporosis screening for over 12,000 community residents, laying the foundation for a grassroots healthcare institution-based osteoporosis management model that can be replicated nationwide.
Gu Wenqin, Deputy Director of the Xuhui District Health Care Management and Development Center, shared insights on the current status of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment at the primary care level. He stated, “The diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of community healthcare professionals in managing osteoporosis need further improvement. A core component of this initiative is to strengthen specialized osteoporosis outpatient clinics and build a robust pipeline of specialist talent, thereby enhancing the competencies of primary care providers. This will enable patients to access timely and professional medical services within their local communities, benefiting from high-quality healthcare resources.”
Ye Zheng, Director of the Changfeng Community Health Service Center, pointed out that standardized diagnosis and treatment training for primary care physicians should not only focus on the promotion and popularization of professional concepts but also on optimizing diagnostic processes: “The entire osteoporosis diagnosis process includes identifying high-risk populations, referring patients to osteoporosis clinics, making clinical diagnoses, and providing patient education. Only by improving the pathways for screening, referral, diagnosis, and education within primary care institutions, and by strengthening the availability of specialized diagnostic equipment, can we reduce patient attrition and ensure that more people receive timely treatment.””
Huan Hongmei, Director of the Gumei Community Health Service Center, highlighted the importance of this project in building the community hospital’s brand, drawing on her insights into local community characteristics and clinical experience: “For large communities with extensive coverage and substantial populations, primary care hospitals need to further develop their specialized service offerings. By leveraging this project to strengthen osteoporosis specialty care as a key highlight, we can raise awareness among residents, encouraging them to proactively seek consultations and treatment. Whenever they suspect or identify potential osteoporosis issues, they will turn to us.”。”
Currently, the “Joyful Bones, Love Her 50+” community-based screening and free clinic project for female osteoporosis has been implemented in the following 11 primary healthcare institutions. Community residents may visit the corresponding community health service centers for consultation and free clinical services:
Appendix: List of 11 Community Health Service Centers
Serial No.
City
District
Center Name
1
Shanghai
Xuhui
Shanghai Fenglin Community Health Service Center
2
Shanghai
Xuhui
Shanghai Xujiahui Community Health Service Center
3
Shanghai
Xuhui
Shanghai Changqiao Community Health Service Center
4
Shanghai
Xuhui
Shanghai Caohejing Community Health Service Center
5
Shanghai
Xuhui
Shanghai Hongmei Community Health Service Center
6
Shanghai
Minhang
Shanghai Pujiang Town Community Health Service Center
7
Shanghai
Minhang
Shanghai Gumei Community Health Service Center
8
Shanghai
Minhang
Shanghai Zhuanqiao Community Health Service Center
9
Shanghai
Putuo
Shanghai Changfeng Community Health Service Center
10
Shanghai
Changning
Shanghai Huayang Community Health Service Center
11
Shanghai
Changning
Shanghai Xianxia Community Health Service Center
[1]National Health Commission Releases Epidemiological Survey Results on Osteoporosis in China P1 Highlighted Sectionhttp://www.chinacdc.cn/gsywlswxx_9498/crbs/201812/t20181217_198289.html
[2]Highlighted sections on page 1 of the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis"