Overview:
World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated by emphasizing the direct link between osteoporosis and the silent disease of bone fractures, as osteoporosis has a serious and negative impact on quality of life in terms of pain, disability, and loss of independence. This day also focuses on osteoporosis as a family issue; where family caregivers often bear the burden of care, and the disease affects multiple generations of the same family.
Objectives:
- Raise community awareness of the risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Increase community awareness of the prevention of osteoporosis and the resulting fractures.
- Make osteoporosis and fracture prevention a health priority in the Kingdom, in line with global trends.
- Raise community awareness of the importance of early detection of osteoporosis.
Facts:
- Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men aged 50 and over suffer an osteoporotic fracture.
- Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle, so they break easily, even as a result of a minor fall, bump, sneeze, or sudden movement.
- Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of long-term pain and disability.
- Exercise, along with a calcium and vitamin D -rich diet helps strengthen bones.
Official Date:
Globally: October 20th, 2024
Locally: Rabi Al- Akhar 17th, 1446H
References:
Health Days 2023 - Ministry of Health portal.