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Scoliosis Awareness Month – June 2025 | Hospital Leadership in Spinal Health Equity

Scoliosis Awareness Month – Hospital Leadership in Spinal Health Equity

Advancing Spinal Health Equity Through Hospital Leadership

Published: June 1, 2025

Each June, Scoliosis Awareness Month shines a national spotlight on spinal health, particularly focusing on early detection and treatment of scoliosis in adolescents and adults. Affecting an estimated 6 to 9 million Americans, scoliosis is characterized by abnormal curvature of the spine that may progress without timely intervention. For hospitals and healthcare systems, this observance offers a strategic opportunity to strengthen musculoskeletal services and address disparities in access to orthopedic care. Health system executives must recognize scoliosis as both a pediatric and adult condition with implications for chronic pain, mobility, and quality of life. School-based screenings, when supported by hospital-community partnerships, can drive early diagnosis and reduce long-term surgical burdens. Spinal health integration into population health strategies signals a hospital’s commitment to whole-person care. As noted by the Scoliosis Research Society, untreated scoliosis may contribute to cardiopulmonary complications, postural dysfunction, and psychosocial distress (Scoliosis Research Society, n.d.). Leading hospitals embed scoliosis detection into sports physicals, wellness visits, and virtual musculoskeletal assessments. A proactive spinal health strategy improves outcomes, prevents progression, and aligns with equity-centered care delivery.

Hospital leaders serve as a cornerstone in expanding awareness and improving access to scoliosis care. Clinical staff should be trained to identify early signs—such as uneven shoulders, visible rib humps, or asymmetrical waistlines—during routine physical exams (Cohen, 2023). Pediatricians, school nurses, and primary care physicians serve as front-line screeners who can refer patients to orthopedic specialists. Integrating scoliosis-specific flags within electronic health records enhances referral efficiency and continuity of care. Health systems with spine centers or orthopedic departments should use June to promote scoliosis education, share clinical resources, and host family-centered events. Leadership can amplify outreach through digital campaigns that highlight available services and community partnerships. Culturally responsive materials and multilingual communications are essential for reaching underserved populations who may face barriers to early intervention. As noted by Zhou et al. (2024), “Culturally tailored linguistically appropriate digital interventions are essential to ensure accessibility and effectiveness among underserved populations.“ Equitable access to bracing, imaging, and surgical consultation must be a leadership priority. Public trust increases when hospitals are visible advocates for adolescent musculoskeletal health. Strengthening scoliosis pathways demonstrates a system-wide commitment to preventive care and early intervention.

Hospital-based spinal care programs should also address the needs of adult patients with degenerative scoliosis or untreated childhood curves. Adults often present with pain, reduced flexibility, and disability that require coordinated rehabilitation and surgical planning. Multidisciplinary teams—featuring orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, pain specialists, and physical therapists—should offer individualized care plans. For health systems advancing value-based models, scoliosis care can be an exemplar of coordinated, patient-centered musculoskeletal health. Leaders should assess existing workflows and infrastructure to support diagnostic imaging, physical therapy access, and long-term follow-up. Digital health tools like posture-monitoring wearables or mobile scoliosis apps can be piloted to extend care beyond the clinical setting. “Wearable sensors can provide reliable, real-time monitoring of spinal posture in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, offering valuable support for early intervention and long-term management outside the hospital environment” (Xia et al., 2023, p. 2). Hospitals can also align their scoliosis initiatives with broader aging spine strategies, improving mobility and function among older adults. When embedded across service lines, scoliosis care contributes to lower utilization, better outcomes, and improved quality of life. Strategic investments in spine health reduce downstream costs and support accreditation standards related to orthopedic excellence.

Equity must remain central to all scoliosis strategies. Studies continue to show that racial and socioeconomic disparities influence time to diagnosis, access to specialists, and surgery outcomes. Research indicates that minority children are significantly more likely to experience delays in scoliosis diagnosis and have reduced access to pediatric orthopedic care, which may contribute to worse surgical outcomes (Skaggs et al., 2018). Hospital leadership should collaborate with public schools, Medicaid programs, and local health departments to identify and close these gaps. Community health workers, patient navigators, and school-based outreach teams can provide education and transportation support to at-risk families. Hospitals with mobile health units or tele-orthopedic services are better positioned to overcome geographic barriers. Trauma-informed care recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization, especially in populations like adolescents who may experience medical interventions—such as bracing or surgery—as emotionally distressing (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014). Metrics like time to diagnosis, rate of progression, and bracing adherence should be included in health equity dashboards. As leaders in health transformation, hospitals must ensure scoliosis care reflects dignity, inclusion, and responsiveness. June is not just about awareness—it’s about activating systems that treat all patients with the same standard of excellence, regardless of zip code.

As Scoliosis Awareness Month unfolds, healthcare executives should seize the moment to reassess spinal care strategies, enhance community engagement, and foster a culture of musculoskeletal prevention. Hosting educational webinars, publishing patient success stories, and expanding orthopedic access points will extend awareness beyond the month of June. Thought leadership in scoliosis care strengthens a hospital’s reputation, supports accreditation goals, and improves outcomes across the lifespan. As The Healthcare Executive affirms, “When spine health becomes a strategic priority, health equity becomes achievable.” Building systems that prevent, treat, and support scoliosis at every stage of life reflects the essence of compassionate, future-ready healthcare. For hospitals and systems committed to whole-person well-being, June is a launchpad—not a limit.

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Health systems can take the lead in scoliosis detection, treatment, and education. Use this month to assess spine service lines, collaborate with schools and primary care, and reinforce your commitment to lifelong musculoskeletal health.

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