Burden and control of musculoskeletal conditions in developing countries: a joint WHO/ILAR/BJD meeting report

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) has worked extensively with the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) and the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 (BJD) towards means for prevention, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal or rheumatic conditions. ILAR represents an umbrella organisation for regional and national rheumatic societies and has embarked upon epidemiological assessment of the prevalence of rheumatic conditions primarily in developing countries through the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD). In addition to documenting the extent of rheumatic conditions, the WHOinitiated COPCORD programme has provided education to patients and health professionals and treatment to those afflicted. The BJD serves as an umbrella organisation to dozens of National Networks and hundreds of organisations worldwide with a stake in musculoskeletal conditions. The WHO has worked closely with the scientific group of the BJD, the Bone and Joint Monitor project, to help document the burden of musculoskeletal conditions. Objectives