May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month!
Join us in raising awareness about osteoporosis and bone health! There are many ways to get involved.
This May, let’s step up for stronger bones! Osteoporosis typically develops without symptoms, so many people don’t realize their bones are getting weaker until they experience a break. But with awareness and action, we can change that.
An Ask the Experts session will take place during one week in May in the BHOF Online Support Community, hosted by Inspire. This interactive event will offer an opportunity to hear from leading experts and get answers to your questions about bone health. Stay tuned for details on the topic, speakers, and how to participate.
We are excited to have launched Be Bone Strong™ Walking Clubs in communities across the country.
Led by passionate volunteers, each club meets weekly for a 30–60 minute walk at a moderate pace. Whether you’re just starting out or already a seasoned walker, you’ll find encouragement, movement, and motivation every step of the way.
These walking clubs are part of BHOF’s broader Be Bone Strong™ initiative—bringing bone health awareness out of the clinic and into neighborhoods nationwide.
Join a club or start one today!
There is so much you can do to spread awareness and show your support by using social media. It’s more important than ever that we come together to support each other, rally our communities and raise awareness about bone health during Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in May! This user-friendly toolkit contains everything you need to share information on social media with your peers, colleagues, friends, family, and in your community. It is complete with posts and images, making it easier for everyone to spread the news far and wide about the importance of good bone health.
Toolkit coming soon!
Give during the month of May to help improve patient care and support for those who have already broken bones due to osteoporosis and to protect future generations from this debilitating disease.
Donate today!
Visit the BHOF fundraising page to learn more and register. You can then personalize your fundraiser with stories, photos and videos. It only takes a few minutes. Then invite your friends, family and network to support your fundraiser. You can even donate to yourself to get the ball rolling.
Virtual Events
FREE Bone-Safe or Bone-Building Exercise Class in Celebration of Osteoporosis Awareness Month! (Virtual Class)
Date/Time: Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 31, 2026
Instructor: Dr. Sherri Betz
Details: Receive a free class pass for any Thera Pilates Bone-Safe or Bone-Building online classes until May 31st! Once you have placed the class in your cart, enter the BHOF Promotional Code (the code is BHOF) to receive your discount. Visit www.therapilates.com for more information about Thera Pilates physical therapy and exercise programs. Click here to view the schedule.
Strength Training for Beginners (Virtual Class)
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2–3 p.m. PT / 4–5 p.m. CT / 5–6 p.m. ET
Instructor: Carol Michaels, MBA, ACE, ACSM is an award-winning osteoporosis and cancer exercise specialist.
Details: This live class features exercises from Carol’s Recovery Fitness® YouTube videos and DVDs. This class will teach you how to strengthen bones and muscles, improve posture and balance. You will learn the exercises that should be performed, the exercises that should be modified and the exercises that should be avoided. It is crucial to learn how to exercise properly because the wrong exercises or improper form can lead to injury. Obtain clearance from your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise routine. You will need hand weights, a mat, and a resistance band and will receive a Zoom invite the evening prior to the class. Please email Carol Michaels for the registration link at caroljmichaels@gmail.com. The class will be recorded. There will be time at the end of the class for questions.
Gentle Yoga to Support Bone Health
Date/Time: Thursday, May 7, 6–7 a.m. PT / 8–9 a.m. CT / 9–10 a.m. ET
Instructor: Michele Schmidt
Details: A bone-friendly yoga practice focused on balance, strength-building, and postural alignment, designed to support bone health and safe for most people with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Each class includes guided breath work, meditation, and relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system while improving balance, strength, and reaction time—key elements that tend to decline with age. Standing poses may be practiced using a wall or chair for support.
What to expect: 1) Guided alignment cues to protect bones and joints, 2) Strengthening and balance exercises to reduce fall risk, 3) Breath work, brief meditation, and 4) guided relaxation.
Recommended props: Blanket or pillow, two blocks, and a strap. A sturdy chair or wall recommended for support during standing poses.
Sign up here: https://micheleschmidtyoga.heymarvelous.com/event/details/1010765
Healthy Bones for Life™
Date/Time: Thursday, May 7, 9–10 a.m. PT / 11 a.m.–noon CT / noon–1 p.m. ET
Peer Educator: Brookes McIntyre
Details: This webinar will share the basics of bone health and why it is important. You will learn bone development over the ages, understand what osteoporosis is, bone loss and fractures. It’s the perfect introduction to preventing bone loss, fracture prevention, bone-safe exercise, and bone-healthy nutrition. So, take steps to stay strong and independent for life! Click here to register.
Fall Prevention Functional Fitness
Date/Time: Thursday, May 14, 6–7 a.m. PT / 8–9 a.m. CT / 9–10 a.m. ET
Instructor: Michele Schmidt
Details: Falling is not an inevitable part of aging. This class uses targeted exercises to prevent falls by strengthening the legs, core, and back extensors while improving balance, coordination, mobility, flexibility, and proprioception. Build confidence, reduce fear of falling, and maintain independence through progressive, practical training safe for everyday life. The class is free. If you are unable to attend live, a replay link will be sent, which is valid until 5/21.
What to expect: 1) Static and dynamic balance drills and agility work, 2) Functional training to improve daily tasks and recreational activities, 3) Progressive resistance exercises for major muscle groups (squats, lunges, push-ups), 4) Mobility and flexibility work to preserve joint range of motion, and 5) Exercises to improve proprioception and reaction time
Props needed: Chair (straight-backed preferred but any chair will do), light hand weights or resistance bands, and a strap.
Sign up here: https://micheleschmidtyoga.heymarvelous.com/event/details/1010768
The Pelvic Floor, Core Strength, and Bone Health: Understanding the Missing Link (Webinar)
Date/Time: Monday, May 18, 9–10 a.m. PT / 11 a.m.–noon CT / noon–1 p.m. ET
Speaker: Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS
Details: Many individuals living with osteoporosis are surprised to learn how closely bone health, core stability, and pelvic floor function are connected. Join BHOF for an engaging and practical webinar featuring Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS, a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy, author of The Musculoskeletal Mystery: How to Solve Your Pelvic Floor Symptoms. Ingrid will demonstrate how the pelvic floor works together with the core muscles to support posture, balance, and safe movement—key components for protecting bone health and preventing falls and fractures. Participants will gain a better understanding of why pelvic floor dysfunction is common among individuals with osteoporosis and how strengthening and coordinating these muscles can improve daily function and confidence. Click here to learn more and sign up.
Spanish Only – Huesos Saludables de por Vida
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 20, 9–10 a.m. PT / 11 a.m.–noon CT / noon–1 p.m. ET
Peer Educator: Cristina Bailey
Details: Este presentación compartirá los fundamentos de la salud ósea y su importancia. Es la introducción perfecta a la prevención de la pérdida ósea, la prevención de fracturas, el ejercicio y la nutrición saludables para los huesos. ¡Tome medidas para mantenerse fuerte y independiente de por vida! Click here to register.
Build Strong Bones Without Fear: A Workout + Workshop for Women Over 50 (Webinar)
Date/Time: Saturday, May 30, 8–9 a.m. PT / 10–11 a.m. CT / 11 a.m.–noon ET
Instructor: Amy VanLiew
Details: If you’ve been told “you need to improve your bone health” or to “be careful” because you already have osteopenia or osteoporosis but aren’t sure what that actually means for exercise, this session is for you. Learn what your bones need to stay strong and how to exercise safely without fear. This free session includes a short educational workshop and a beginner-friendly workout you can follow along with, plus simple strategies you can start using right away. Click here to learn more and sign up.
In-person Events
Free Bone Health Workshop: Build Better Bone Health
Date/Time: Saturday, May 16, 8:00am–12:00pm ET
Location: Lime Spring Outpatient Center, Lime Spring Specialties, 2221 Noll Drive, Ste E100, Lancaster, PA 17603
Presented By: Penn State Health With Support from the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation
Speakers: Edward J. Fox, MD, Dean Campbell, CRNP, Denise Shenigo, RN, Jessica Najaka, PA-C, Dolores “Lori” Sbarra, PT
Details: Did you know that one in two women over the age of 50 will experience a fracture in her lifetime? Join us for this informative workshop to learn more about how to keep your bones healthy. Topics include: 1) Osteoporosis – how to diagnose and treat it, 2) Medical conditions, medications and family history that can affect your risk of fractures, 3) Nutrition tips for bone health, and 4) Simple exercises to help prevent falls. Seating is limited and registration is recommended.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3N2toHr
Additional events coming soon!
On-Demand Webinars
De-Stressing in Nature for Bone Health: https://vimeo.com/715685685
Walking/Running for Your Bone Health: https://vimeo.com/707893959
Mindful Movement for All Ages: https://vimeo.com/710891343
Bone Healthy Advice: Exercise, Nutrition, Mindfulness: https://vimeo.com/712991063
Walking with Purpose: Transformative Health Benefits with Joyce Shulman
On this episode of Bone Talk, BHOF CEO Claire Gill is joined by Joyce Shulman to discuss the transformative power of walking and the benefits of community exercise. Walking positively impacts your mind, mood, and body. It’s been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, add volume to the hippocampus, and improve the brain’s executive function. A 20-minute walk can boost creativity by up to 60%. For many, regular walking practice can be as effective for mild depression as medication and can lengthen the time between major depressive episodes. With every mile we walk, that’s 2,000 steps we take that we also maintain our posture, keep our body and spine erect, and help maintain balance. Click here to learn more and listen to this episode.
Listen and learn more here: bonetalk.org
Tune in to these past episodes:
The BHOF Quick Guide provides some key facts about osteoporosis, simple steps you can take to protect your bones, and a list of support resources to help you connect with fellow osteoporosis patients or get involved in helping those suffering from the disease.
The Preparing for Your Visit With Your Doctor and Healthcare Team booklet offers information to help you prepare for your visit and contains the following four sections: Preparing for Your Appointment, Finding a Specialist and Getting a Second Opinion, Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider, and What to Expect if You Are Diagnosed With Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis.
The educational resources in the Patient Resource Library are BHOF’s most up-to-date publications and videos geared towards patients, caregivers and the general public. These materials provide general information about osteoporosis and low bone density. They are not intended to replace the services of trained and qualified health professionals or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians. For more information, see our complete Medical Disclaimer.
Visit the BHOF Digital Media Platform to access television and radio public service announcements, patient video stories, bone health resources, and fact sheet about osteoporosis.
Whether you’d like to connect with fellow osteoporosis patients or get more involved to help those suffering from the disease, we have resources available to help you. Follow the links below to learn how you can join our online community, start or join a BHOF Support Group or find an osteoporosis event happening in your own community. Find the resources you need:
Explore a new patient pathway online tool – Your Path to Good Bone Health. This digital knowledge-roadmap provides patients and care partners with the information they need to take control of their bone health, manage their osteoporosis and prevent debilitating fractures.
If you or someone you love has osteoporosis (or weak or brittle bones) or low bone density, you have the power to improve how we care for these diseases by sharing your experiences.
A first of its kind tool in the osteoporosis field, the Healthy Bones, Build Them for Life® Patient Registry surveys patients and caregivers about how osteoporosis and low bone density impact their lives. This patient-reported information is collected anonymously, combined, and analyzed by the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) to map out the patient journey. This map will show BHOF and the broader bone health community what patients need and want most.
Raise awareness about osteoporosis by telling others about your experiences. Sharing your journey will help others understand the impact of this disease and gain an understanding of what it’s like for someone who has it.
Visit our blog, Bone Talk, to get inspiration from our Voices of Osteoporosis stories like the ones below.
If you’d like to be featured, click here.
Victoria Schmidt
It’s Working: My Three-Fold Approach to Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is responsible for an estimated two million broken bones per year, yet nearly 80 percent of older Americans who suffer bone breaks are not tested or treated for osteoporosis.
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help slow or stop the loss of bone mass and help prevent fractures.
A woman’s risk of fracture is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.
A man is more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than he is to get prostate cancer.