Project Esperanza
Osteoporosis Prevention and Bone Mineral Density Screening
In 2004, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona released the first-ever Surgeon General’s report on bone health. In it he warned that by 2020 half of all American citizens 50 years and older will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and osteopenia (low bone mass) if no action is taken by individuals at risk, healthcare providers and policymakers.
In response to this crisis, Women’s Voices for Change (WVFC), a menopausal advocacy group, in partnership with New York Presbyterian Hospital, established Project Esperanza to provide free bone mineral density (BMD) testing to 1,000 underserved and underinsured women in New York City. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determine the risk for fractures and measure response to osteoporosis treatment.
Dr. Patricia Yarberry Allen, one of the founding members of WVFC, has donated the use of her office and staff to provide these screenings using a GE Lunar Prodigy Advance DEXA machine.
Known as the “silent disease,” osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms often until the patient’s bone loss becomes so advanced that he or she suffers a fracture. The absence of symptoms makes education integral to effective, preventative medical outreach.
In order to inform women of this free service and provide meaningful education, Project Esperanza has worked with 66 nonprofit organizations, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, hospitals, senior centers and doctors. Participants include:
Community-based and faith-based organizations: Alianza Dominicana, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Alzheimer’s Association, National Osteoporosis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, Visiting Nurse Services of New York, Metropolitan United Methodist, Abyssinian Baptist Church, Legree Baptist
Hospitals: New York Presbyterian Cornell and Columbia Hospital, Harlem Hospital, Kings County Hospital
Senior Centers: Isabella, NORCs, STAR
Governmental Agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, New York State Osteoporosis Prevention & Education Program
As a result of Project Esperanza’s 90 workshops held to date on osteoporosis and bone health, 25,700 advertisements and fliers have been distributed; 4,750 women have received educational magazines and pamphlets; and 1,100 women have attended bone health workshops.
Project Esperanza volunteer members are now being recruited and trained to give workshops and to promote Project Esperanza throughout the local nonprofit community.
