Osteoporosis is the silent disease that affects millions of people all over the world. There the World Osteoporosis Day is observed each year on October 20th, to promote the health awareness of osteoporosis, methods of prevention, and available means of diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Facts and Figures:
- Osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures a year.
- There is one fracture every three seconds worldwide.
- About 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over age 50 experience osteoporotic fractures.
- In women over 45 years of age, osteoporosis-caused fractures account for more days spent in hospital than many other diseases, including breast cancer, diabetes and heart attack.
- In men, the risk of fractures is higher than the risk of prostate cancer by 27%.
- A prior fracture caused by osteoporosis is associated with a 50% risk of having a second fracture; and with every new fracture the risk further increases.
- By 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fracture in men is projected to increase by 31% and 24% in women.
Objectives of World Osteoporosis Day:
- Promoting awareness of early detection of osteoporosis all over the world to avoid complications of the disease.
- Educating the public about certain risk factors which increase the risk of osteoporosis.
- Promoting awareness of the importance of prevention of osteoporosis, by focusing on leading a healthy life style (healthy food rich in calcium, protein, vitamin D and exercising).
Official Date:
Globally: October 20th, 2016.
Locally: Al-Muharram 19th, 1438H.
Theme of the World Osteoporosis Day 2016:
Love Your Bones
Protect Your Future
Targeted Groups:
- Osteoporosis patients and their families.
- The public.
- Physicians and health professionals.
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