World Osteoporosis Day 2022: Step Up for Bone Health

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Highlights:

• Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and fragile so that they break easily
• Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of long-term disability
• To make people aware of this disease, world osteoporosis day is observed on October 20 annually.

World Osteoporosis Day observed on October 20 each year, is a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related issues.

This day aims to put bone health and fracture prevention on the global health agenda and reaches out to healthcare professionals, the media, policymakers, patients, and the public at large (1^✔).

‘World Osteoporosis Day 2022 campaign will urge people to �step up for bone health� by ensuring a healthy lifestyle that supports bone health.’

The World Osteoporosis Day campaign amplified by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (EFFO), and the International Federation of Societies on Skeletal Diseases (IFSSD) throughout the world, is an ideal occasion to drive action on behalf of bone health and fracture prevention.

Why is World Osteoporosis Day Important?

Currently, osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and undertreated disease. Worldwide, millions of people at high risk of broken bones (fractures) remain unaware of this underlying silent disease. The huge human and socioeconomic cost and the severe impact of fractures on patients' life are underestimated.

World Osteoporosis Day acts as a unique occasion when individuals and organizations around the world unite to put the spotlight on the disease and its burden. Together, patient societies, health care professionals, medical authorities, policymakers, and patients themselves can all contribute to calling for change.

About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become thin and lose their strength as they become less dense and their quality is reduced. This can lead to broken bones, which cause pain and disability(2^✔).

Osteoporosis is often called the �silent disease' because most people don't know they have the disorder until they break a bone after a minor fall or bump.

Key Facts About Osteoporosis

• Worldwide osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in a fracture every 3 seconds.
• It is estimated that approximately 500 million men and women worldwide may be affected.
• By 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fracture in men is projected to increase by 310% and by 240% in women.
• In women, osteoporosis accounts for more days in hospital than breast cancer, heart attack, diabetes, and many other diseases.
• In men, the lifetime risk of fragility fracture is greater than that of prostate cancer.
• The risk of suffering another fracture is particularly high in the first two years after an initial fracture.
• There are risk factors aside from older age, that include height loss, low Body Mass Index, certain diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), family history, long-term use of steroids and other medications
• Don't ignore back pain, height loss, and/or curved back (kyphosis), these can be a sign of osteoporosis.

Step Up for Bone Health

The 2022 World Osteoporosis Day campaign will urge the public and patients to �step up for bone health' by ensuring a bone-healthy lifestyle is vital for strong bones and a mobile, fracture-free future.

A bone-healthy lifestyle can be achieved by doing regular weight-bearing & muscle-strengthening exercises, following a nutritious bone-healthy diet, avoiding smoking, and limiting excessive alcohol intake.

Exercising for Strong Bones

Bones get stronger when you use them. Exercise helps build bone in children and teens as they grow, and helps maintain bone in adults. The best types of exercises for bone health are weight-bearing and muscle strengthening.

People should aim to exercise for 30 to 40 minutes three to four times each week for bone health. People with osteoporosis benefit from a targeted exercise plan which also includes exercises to improve balance and posture (3^✔).

Targeted exercise plays a crucial role in rehabilitation post-fracture, helping to reduce pain, improve physical function, and improve quality of life. Physiotherapists can give expert advice and develop tailored exercise regimens.

Diet for Healthy Bones

A bone-healthy diet is a balanced diet with an adequate intake of calcium, protein, vitamin D, vitamin K, and other nutrients. Nutritional needs change with age, especially for young people who are still growing, and women after menopause need higher calcium intake.

People who cannot get enough calcium from their diets, or vitamin D from exposure to the sun, may need supplements for optimal bone health.

Early Access to Diagnosis

Osteoporosis suffers from a low rate of timely diagnosis and treatment. In many countries, there is poor accessibility to diagnostic scans that measure bone density, and/or treatment is not reimbursed.

Despite the fracture crisis facing most countries with aging populations, some 80% of individuals who have sustained a fragility fracture remain undiagnosed and untreated - essentially unprotected against potentially devastating and life-threatening secondary fractures.

Encouraging a Bone-Healthy Lifestyle

• Social media is one of the most powerful tools of communication these days! Be sure to use one or more of these channels to support your campaign. Add the tagline #worldosteoporosisday #bonehealth in social media posts for better reach (4^✔).
• Organize public information events in shopping malls or other public venues. It can be a simple information booth or a large-scale event that includes activity areas such as a �Know your risk' (do the risk check) or �measure your height' booth, live demonstrations for exercise or cooking, etc.
• Hold a running or walking event in your community to raise awareness of osteoporosis and the importance of exercise to bone health.
• An exercise-related event such as free dance, Zumba, or yoga demonstrations can be used as a magnet to draw crowds - at the same time, other osteoporosis information can be provided in the form of talks, leaflets, and information booths.
• Offer free risk assessment using the online IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check, or the FRAX� calculator at a patient/public event, perhaps followed by free DXA testing for those at risk.
• Hold a press conference to announce news about your society or the findings of a new study or survey that shows the burden of osteoporosis in your country.

References:

1. World Osteoporosis Day 2022 - (https:www.worldosteoporosisday.org/)
2. Osteoporosis - (https:www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/osteoporosis.htm)
3. Overview Osteoporosis - (https:www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoporosis/)
4. About The 2022 World Osteoporosis Day Campaign - (https:www.worldosteoporosisday.org/get-involved)

Source: Medindia

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