On World Osteoporosis Day, experts warn of growing burden of fragility fractures

With the ageing of the global population, the annual number of osteoporosis-related hip fractures is projected to nearly double between 2018 and 2050. On World Osteoporosis Day, marked on October 20th, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and its more than 330 member organizations from more than 150 countries will be sounding the alarm on the growing burden of osteoporosis, and urging action for fragility fracture prevention.

Osteoporosis is a disease of bone that progresses silently, and can cause bones to become so fragile that they break easily, even after a minor fall or bump. No matter what a person’s age, a low-impact fall from standing height should not result in a broken bone. If it does, the break is termed a ‘fragility fracture’, and is a sign of underlying bone weakness and the need for osteoporosis management.  Although osteoporosis can be diagnosed early, the majority of people with osteoporosis are not aware of the underlying condition until a fracture occurs. Even after sustaining a fragility fracture, some 80% of patients with osteoporosis are not identified and treated. 

Under the banner ‘Say no to fragile bones’ the IOF network is urging people of all ages to take personal action for prevention and early diagnosis, while calling on health authorities to prioritize bone health and fragility fracture prevention within their national healthcare systems. 

Without increased emphasis on prevention and treatment, and with populations ageing worldwide, the human and economic impact of osteoporosis will keep rising. The following staggering figures underscore the heavy toll osteoporosis places on individuals, families, healthcare systems and societies worldwide¹:

• Up to 37 million fragility fractures occur annually worldwide in individuals aged over 55—this is equivalent to 70 fractures every minute.
• Globally, one in three women and one in five men over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture over their remaining lifetimes. In women, the risk is greater than breast cancer; in men the risk is greater than prostate cancer. 
• More than 10 million hip fractures in people aged 55+ were recorded in 2019 alone.
• The number of hip fractures is projected to nearly double between 2018 and 2050.
• Hip fractures are associated with: mortality rates of up to 20-24% in the first year; and among survivors, profound loss of function with 40% unable to walk independently and 33% either totally dependent or in a nursing home in the year following a hip fracture.

IOF President Professor Nicholas Harvey, Director of the University of Southampton’s MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, UK, states: 

“Bone health and osteoporosis prevention are important for everyone. There's no excuse for complacency—osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of aging. It’s a disease that can be prevented, diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, despite its severe and costly impact, osteoporosis continues to be vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide. On World Osteoporosis Day, we aim to raise awareness about osteoporosis and urge individuals of all ages, along with their healthcare providers, to prioritize bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis."

Through good nutrition and exercise, younger people can maintain strong bones and reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis in the future. For adults, a bone-healthy lifestyle, timely screening, and access to effective treatments for those at high risk are paramount. For anyone who has experienced a fragility fracture, osteoporosis treatment is an essential consideration to reduce the very high risk of further fractures. Access to hospital-based post-fracture care units such as ‘Fracture Liaison Services’ can make an enormous difference by ensuring timely care and follow-up to protect against a potential cycle of recurring fractures². 

"Now is the time to take decisive action to counteract the rising burden of osteoporosis-related fractures in all world regions,” says Dr Philippe Halbout, CEO of the IOF. 

“By prioritizing bone health through preventive measures and early intervention, we can significantly reduce the burden of new fractures, improve quality of life for millions of people, and alleviate the strain on healthcare systems in all regions of the world."

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References:
1. https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/facts-statistics
2. https://www.capturethefracture.org/index.php/what-is-a-pfc 

About World Osteoporosis Day
World Osteoporosis Day, observed annually on October 20th, is dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. The campaign aims to make osteoporosis a global health priority by engaging stakeholders from all sectors to work together towards better bone health.

View events and download multilanguage resources, including the Global Burden of Osteoporosis infographic, on the World Osteoporosis Day website. 

More information about osteoporosis and how to protect your bones is available here:

International Osteoporosis Foundation
IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check (available in 36 languages)
Contacts for osteoporosis-related patient and medical organizations worldwide
Build Better Bones website – learn how to manage your osteoporosis
Capture the Fracture^® - Map of Fracture Liaison Services worldwide

About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers as well as 338 patient, medical and research organizations, work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide healthcare priority. https://www.osteoporosis.foundation @iofbonehealth