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Actress Julie Andrews, former Texas Governor Ann Richards, and Dr. Felicia Cosman, osteoporosis specialist and Medical Director of the Clinical Research Center at Helen Hayes Hospital, have come together as three "Women With Backbone" (SM) to bring information abot osteoporosis to women across the nation. Julie will be the spokesperson for a national campaign called the Declaration of Independence From Osteoporosis. The Declaration of Independence From Osteoporosis is a public education partnership between the National Women?s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and Eli Lilly and Company, and includes a series of national and local initiatives designed to raise awareness of osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Andrews, star of such film classics as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria, is featured in a public service announcement urging women to declare their independence from osteoporosis.

Some facts about osteoporosis: - Up to half of women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime. - There are more osteoporotic fractures in women than stroke, heart attacks and breast cancer combined. - Two fractures from osteoporosis occur among women every minute in the U.S. - Taking calcium may not be enough to prevent osteoporosis.

Factors that increase a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis include: - being Caucasian (white) or Asian - having a slender body build - having a family history of osteoporosis - being past menopause (including menopause due to surgery) - smoking - drinking alcohol - not getting enough calcium - not getting enough exercise