Overview
World Osteoporosis Day falls on October 20 every year. It is activated this year by emphasizing the direct link between osteoporosis (the silent disease) and bone fractures, which have a serious and negative impact on quality of life in terms of pain, disability, and loss of independence. It will also focus on osteoporosis as a family affair, where burden of care is often borne by family caregivers, and the disease that afflicts many generations of the family itself.
Objectives:
- Making osteoporosis and fracture prevention a health priority in KSA in line with global trends.
- Raising awareness of the community on risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Raising community awareness on active healthy aging and a healthy lifestyle; where prevention of osteoporosis and fractures caused thereby.
- Raising community awareness of the importance of early detection of osteoporosis.
Facts:
Osteoporosis is the primary cause of painful, debilitating and life-threatening bones, which may be known as (fragility fractures). Osteoporosis is a growing global problem worldwide, causing fractures in one in three women and one in five men over the age of fifty. If one of your parents has osteoporosis or a hip fracture, this may increase risk of the disease. Exercising, along with a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, will strengthen bones.
Official date:
Globally: October 20th, 2022
Locally: Rabi-Awal 24th, 1444 H
Slogan:
Osteoporosis can be prevented and treated…Take action for bone health
References:
IOF Internatiional Osteoporosis Foundation