TODAY is World Osteoporosis Day 2019 when people at risk of the "silent" condition - basically anyone over the age of 50 years - is asked to learn more about the condition and ask their doctor for a bone density scan.
Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile, so that they break easily - even as a result of a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of pain and long-term disability.
Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men aged 50 years and over will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.
In 2017-18, more than 1.2 million Australians self-reported that they had osteoporosis, and it is estimated a further 6.3 million people have low bone density.
Osteoporosis is more common among women, affecting 6.2 per cent of females compared with 1.5 per cent of males. As with many chronic conditions, osteoporosis is prominent among older Australians, with 86 per cent of people affected being aged 55 years or over.
In Australia the government has launched the National Strategic Action Plan for Osteoporosis, coinciding with World Osteoporosis Day 2019, which calls for global action to improve awareness of the condition.
The Action Plan addresses the urgent need for a national strategic response to the challenges and burden of osteoporosis across Australia.
It will focus on increased awareness, education and prevention of osteoporosis, including improved diagnosis and management, and care of people with, or at risk of, osteoporosis.
The government is allocating $4 million to support implementation of the Action Plan.
Of this, $3 million is being released from the Medical Research Future Fund for a pilot project for the Primary Care Fracture Liaison Service, aimed at reducing further risk of breaking bones and significantly decreasing the burden of osteoporosis.
$500,000 is being provided directly to Osteoporosis Australia, and a further $500,000 will be made available through a competitive grant to assist awareness and education work.
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