WORLD OSTEOPOROSIS DAY – 20th October – World Osteoporosis Day, marked on October 20th each year, is a prime time to spotlight osteoporosis.
With this year’s tagline of ‘Step up for bone health’, IOF will highlight the importance of a bone-healthy lifestyle as the foundation for strong bones and a mobile, fracture-free future. New posters and related resources and communications will urge the public and patients to ‘step up for bone health’ by ensuring:
• Regular weight-bearing & muscle-strengthening exercise
• A nutritious bone-healthy diet and adequate vitamin D
• No smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol intake
As well, the important role of Fracture Liaison Services and targeted exercise programs and nutrition after a fracture will be reflected in campaign messages and resources. We will reach out to healthcare professionals and health authorities, who will be urged to ‘step up’ on behalf of osteoporosis and fracture prevention by ensuring that people at fracture risk have timely access to diagnosis and treatment, including post-fracture care.
This year The Royal Osteoporosis Society are launching a new risk checker to help people understand their risk of osteoporosis and learn more about bone health.
In just five minutes, the new online tool will provide people with free, tailored advice about their osteoporosis risk and provide practical tips on how to take action on their bone health.
Osteoporosis is treatable and fractures largely preventable but it’s important to find out if you are at risk. It’s never too early or too late to act.
Here is how you can encourage your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours to check their risk!
- Talk to them about the importance of bone health and encourage them to check their risk
- Like, share or re-tweet our posts on social media
- Post on your own social media accounts
- If you’re a volunteer, hold a session about the risk checker at your next meeting
Follow us on social media @royalosteosoc for all the latest updates and a link to the risk checker from Monday 17 October onwards. You can find links to all our social media below.
WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men aged 50 years and over will suffer an osteoporotic fracture. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile, so that they break easily – even as a result of a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of pain and long-term disability.
Fractures due to osteoporosis have a devastating impact on millions of people worldwide and result in enormous socio-economic costs to society and healthcare systems. Yet, despite effective medical advances to reduce fractures, a minority of men and women receive treatment.
Only 20% of patients with osteoporotic fractures are actually diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis, the underlying disease. In 2010, in Europe alone some 12.3 million people considered to be at a high risk for osteoporotic fractures were left untreated.
History of World Osteoporosis Day (WOD)
The first occurrence of World Osteoporosis Day was noticed on October 20, 1996, held by the United Kingdom’s National Osteoporosis Society with the collaboration of the European Commission. Later on, in 1997 International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) organized World Osteoporosis Day (WOD).
Since its inception, Various organizations have supported the day, and in 1998 and 1999, the World Health Organization co-sponsored the day intending to promote awareness of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. In 1999, World Osteoporosis Day was witnessed with a specific theme for the first time, and the theme for 1999 was “Early Detection”.
Source: Royal Osteoporosis Society World Osteoporosis Day Pace Hospital
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