HHS launches national sarcopenia awareness campaign

Aug. 24, 2023
Sarcopenia can significantly decrease a person’s quality of life and lead to other health problems, including an increased risk of debilitating falls and fractures.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health (OWH) has launched a new nationwide campaign, “Stronger than Sarcopenia,” to raise awareness of sarcopenia in women, a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength, and function in adults 65 and older. 

To better prepare healthcare professionals to identify and address sarcopenia among their patients, OWH collaborated with Medscape Education to develop continuing medical education (CME) credits for healthcare professionals. This peer-reviewed and accredited CME activity will improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge and skills related to the screening, evaluation, treatment, and management of sarcopenia.

Studies show that more than 45 percent of the older U.S. population is affected by sarcopenia, with millions of younger adults at risk for developing it later in life.  OWH’s “Stronger than Sarcopenia” campaign encourages women to speak to their healthcare professionals about sarcopenia and for healthcare professionals to screen for the condition and provide proper treatment if needed. 

To help spread that message, OWH has created a toolkit with information and resources and formed a network of public and private sector collaborators.

HHS release