TORONTO--5 Jun--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Nine prominent women from around the world today called for action by government policy makers, health professionals and individuals to fight the silent epidemic of osteoporosis. "We are here because osteoporosis is a major global problem and it is time to get people to stand up and speak out on this serious disease," said Justine Pasek, a speaker at the event, whose statement reflected the tone of the gathering. For complete texts from all the speakers see: http://www.osteofound.org/wco/2006/media_centre.php The women were speaking at the 2nd IOF Women Leaders Roundtable, held in conjunction with the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis in Toronto. Moderator: Dr Marla Shapiro, Canada, associate professor University of Toronto, Family and Community Health, family physician, TV and print journalist Australia: Maxine McKew, journalist, TV host, patron of Osteoporosis Australia Canada: Maureen McTeer, medical law specialist, human rights advocate, author, patron of Osteoporosis Canada China: Alice Chiu, prominent philanthropist, founder and director, Sheen Hok Charitable Foundation, Hong Kong Italy: Lella Costa, theatre actress, osteoporosis advocate Panama: Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002, patron of Fundacion de Osteoporosis y Enfermedades Metabolicas Oseas (Panama Osteoporosis Foundation) United Kingdom: Baroness Julia Cumberlege, member House of Lords, former UK health minister, prominent osteoporosis advocate USA: Peggy Fleming, Olympic Gold Medalist and former world champion in figure skating, TV sports analyst, osteoporosis advocate USA: Dr Ethel Siris, president of National Osteoporosis Foundation (USA), IOF Board member In their Call to Action, the women urged: Women and men worldwide to: - Engage in a "bone-friendly" lifestyle, including appropriate exercise programs, nutrition and attention to risk factors Health care professionals to: - Improve their knowledge about how their field of specialty relates to osteoporosis Government health officials to: - Recognize osteoporosis as a health priority - Pay for bone density scans for people with osteoporosis risk factors before the first fracture. - Pay for proven therapies for people with osteoporosis before the first fracture. Osteoporosis is one of the world's most prevalent and debilitating chronic diseases, affecting one out of three women over 50 worldwide, more than breast cancer. http://www.osteofound.org SOURCE: International Osteoporosis Foundation CONTACT: Andrew Leopold of Weber Shandwick Worldwide Toronto, Tel +1-416-964-6444, Cell +1-416-723-2424, [email protected] ; or Andrew Leopold of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, Tel +1-416-964-6444, [email protected] Web site: http://www.osteofound.org/wco/2006/media_centre.php http://www.osteofound.org --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--