The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) is encouraging bone-building habits during May’s National Osteoporosis Awareness Month through their “Bone-gevity: Bones Built to Last” campaign. SUDIA is partnering with sports nutritionists, chefs and dietitians to offer free resources, recipes and social media giveaways all month long.

National Osteoporosis Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to osteoporosis prevention, diagnostic testing and risk factors. Per the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General, an estimated 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis and another 43 million are at risk of getting this debilitating disease. Although osteoporosis is known for its later-in-life onset, it is considered a childhood disease with adult implications. Due to this, early healthy bone habits such as consuming dairy foods are integral for fortifying bones for life and guarding against fractures and brittle bones.

The “Bone-gevity: Bones Built to Last” campaign is designed to bring awareness to the importance of investing in your bones throughout life. The campaign targets consumers in Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte and Richmond.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a vital part of increasing and maintaining bone health, or “bone-gevity,” is practicing healthy lifestyle habits that includes eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Dairy products are the number one food source of both calcium and vitamin D, with milk being the most accessible and inexpensive, costing only 25 cents per 8-ounce glass.

“The dairy farmers of the Southeast are proud to produce safe and nutritious milk that makes a difference in the health of their families, friends and community,” said Doug Ackerman, CEO of the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association. “We know that the nutrients naturally present in milk create the perfect package for building and maintaining strong bones,” says Ackerman. “Our dairy farmers work hard to produce nature’s most perfect bone-building beverage.”

To learn more about osteoporosis prevention and the “Bone-gevity: Bones Built to Last” campaign, visit their website and follow the conversation using #bonegevity and #bonehealth.