World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), annually observed across the globe on 20th October, is a global awareness campaign to highlight the importance of Osteoporosis and to raise global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
- The WOD campaign is a global initiative supported by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) member societies worldwide to drive action on osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures
Theme:
The 2024 campaign theme and message is ‘Say no to fragile bones’.
- The theme of WOD 2024 aims to break the existing stagnation regarding bone health by encouraging individuals of all ages to recognize and protect their bones.
Background:
i.World Osteoporosis Day was initially launched in 1996 by the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) National Osteoporosis Society and was supported by the European Commission.
ii.In 1998, the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (EFFO) and the International Federation of Societies on Skeletal Diseases (IFSSD) merged to form the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
iii.The first-ever WOD was observed on 20th October 1996.
Note: In 1998 and 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) acted as co-sponsor of World Osteoporosis Day.
About Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a condition causing weakened and fragile bones. Due to decreased bone strength, the risk of fractures after minor incidents increases.
- Causes: It is commonly caused by various factors including ageing, hormonal shifts particularly the decline in estrogen levels in women after menopause, deficiencies in nutrition such as calcium and vitamin D and lack of physical activity.
- Symptoms: It is also known as a “silent disease” because there are usually no symptoms until a fracture occurs, which often occurs in the hip, spine and wrist.
About the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF):
President – Professor Nicholas Harvey
CEO – Philippe Halbout (Switzerland)
Headquarters – Nyon, Switzerland
Established – 1998
