Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects two to three percent of the population, or an estimated 7 million people in the United States. Most are diagnosed with scoliosis between the ages of 10 and 15, but the condition also affects infants and adults. It is a condition that affects people of all races, classes and both genders. Girls are eight times more likely than boys to have a curve that will progress to a magnitude that requires treatment Scoliosis is common in children with a variety of congenital and neuromuscular diseases, but it is most prevalent in seemingly healthy children, with no known cause (idiopathic).

Most curvatures are minor and require only that patients are monitored by their doctors. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, one-quarter of children with spinal curves require medical attention. In 2004, 1.26 million patients diagnosed with scoliosis utilized health care resources. The estimated total hospital charges, excluding professional fees and non-covered charges, for all patients released from the hospital with an idiopathic scoliosis diagnosis was $2.7 billion.

Fewer than half of the states in our nation currently legislate screening for scoliosis at schools, so it is imperative that parents, teachers, coaches, healthcare professionals and children are aware of the early signs of scoliosis. Additionally, advances in science and technology mean both the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis are improving every year. Your doctors and medical staff can help raise the awareness of all these issues through the news media and community events.

Key information can provide parents and their children with a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of scoliosis and where to get help. Community and grassroots events, such as health seminars and support groups, can encourage the sharing of personal stories and connect patients so that no family affected by scoliosis goes through the experience alone.

Media outreach can occur around key interest times like the fall for back-to-school stories and June, which is National Scoliosis Awareness Month. Then, community outreach can fill in the gaps in media coverage throughout the year.The National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF), a patient-led non-profit organization, designed this Media and Community Guide to help you communicate the scoliosis story to the local news media and local community in an accurate and compelling way. The NSF has been working for more than 30 years to educate communities about scoliosis and the importance of early detection. The information in this guide has been medically reviewed for accuracy. This guide is endorsed by the Scoliosis Research Society and provided with the assistance of DePuy Spine, Inc.