Alice V. Roberts - Health Providers

Provider Content Alice V. Roberts

The book "Living Day to Day with Severe Osteoporosis" is Alice V. Roberts debut in book publishing. However, Alice has written short articles for her local newspaper as an advocate for the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

In 1991, at age 35, doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona diagnosed Alice with severe osteoporosis. And in 2004, just after turning 49, she had a bone mineral density (BMD) test- her worst to date. Her local doctor told her that she was a liability to her employer (and any other as well) and she should file for long-term disability. Alice's lowest score was - 4.5. Yes that is correct: the score was - 4.5. That was a score expected from someone in their 90's, not a woman who had just turned 49 a week earlier.

Osteoporosis has been defined as a disease where there is a loss of bone mass and structural deterioration of the bone tissue. It is described as a loss of calcium to the bone and makes the individual more susceptible to breaking bones. The hips, ribs, spine and wrists are the higher risk areas for breakage, but any bone can be affected. Compression fractures of the spine can lead to deterioration of support from the vertebrae resulting in a stooped back (hunched over) and height loss. As bones become weaker with age, the risk of osteoporosis becomes even greater. However, once a debilitating disease known for afflicting the elderly, men and women regardless of age can and do become victims.

Over fourteen million people currently have osteoporosis. Over triple that amount has a low bone mass. Osteoporosis is responsible for over one and a half million fractures a year. This includes 300,000 hip fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, 700,000 vertebrae fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures at other sites. Estimated national direct expenditures (hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporosis and related fractures are over twenty billion dollars a year.

As one of the country's fastest growing epidemics, osteoporosis is just beginning to receive the public attention it deserves. Due to her age and the severity of her osteoporosis, Alice wants to speak out about osteoporosis and its causes, and encourage people to see their family doctor and get a bone density test. It is Alice’s mission to draw awareness, increase education and encourage prevention.

In her efforts to draw awareness, Alice has created a car ribbon magnet that says Fight Osteoporosis™. The magnet measures 8” high by 3 ½” wide. To purchase your magnet visit http://www.alicevroberts.com/Store.html. If you would like the National Osteoporosis Foundation to receive $2.00 from the proceeds of this sale be sure to type “-NOF” after your last name when entering your personal information.

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