Building Our Knowledge and Resources
If you are under 50 years old and recently learned that your bone density is lower than it should be, you may be feeling confused, worried or frightened. You are not alone. Osteo Juniors is a group of younger women throughout BC who have osteoporosis or osteopenia.
The problem with diabetes is that if blood sugar is allowed to be significantly above normal for many years irreversible damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels may result leading to significant disability or even death. If blood sugar can be kept close to normal throughout life, not only will you have very good quality of life but your life expectancy should be no different to people who do not have diabetes. The key to controlling diabetes is to learn to closely regulate diet, exercise, insulin administration and blood glucose testing.
By bringing younger women together to collectively analyze their stories and circumstances, the project aims to fill critical gaps in information and create educational materials for both the general public and for health care providers. As importantly, joining the Osteo Juniors is one way that young women with low bone density can connect to each other and find the support that is needed for healing.
The Research Project is co-directed by:
- Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior, Professor of Endocrinology at the University of British Columbia, and Director of the Vancouver Centre of the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CAMOS). Dr. Prior’s Research has examined the connections among ovulation disturbance, exercise, stress of eating restraint and bone health.
- Frances Kirson, B.A.(Sociology), M.A.(Planning). As a community development planner with 10 years experience and over 15 years experience as an educator and coach, Francis has worked extensively on gender issues. Frances discovered she had osteoporosis when she fractured her hip at the age of 33. Over the last decade she has explored and used a variety of conventional and alternative treatments to improve her health.
You are invited to join us. We will explore and discuss the unique experiences of premenopausal women who have poor bone health.
If you wish more information, would like to get involved in this exciting project, or simply want to connect to other women in your situation, please call Frances Kirson, at (604) 833-8856, or email