World Osteoporosis Day is annually observed across the globe on 20th October to create awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle
The theme of the 2022 campaign of World Osteoporosis Day is “Step Up for Bone Health”.
- The 2022 campaign promotes exercise with weight-bearing and resistance exercises in the program.
Background:
i.World Osteoporosis Day was initially launched by the National Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom and supported by the European Commission.
ii.Since 1997, the observance of World Osteoporosis Day is led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation(IOF).
- The first ever World Osteoporosis Day was observed on 20th October 1996.
Note: In 1998 and 1999, the World Health Organisation (WHO) acted as the co-sponsor of World Osteoporosis Day.
Significance of World Osteoporosis Day 2022:
i.World Osteoporosis Day 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the official launch of “Capture the Fracture(CTF), a landmark programme of IOF.
ii.CTF is a multi-stakeholder initiative launched by the IOF in 2012, which envisions driving changes at the local and international levels to make secondary fracture prevention a global reality.
About Osteoporosis :
i.Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. This process is called as remodelling which includes bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts.
ii.An imbalance between bone resorption and formation can result in bone diseases including osteoporosis.
5 steps to prevent Osteoporosis:
- Exercise
- Eating Bone healthy foods
- Maintaining healthy body weight
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol intake
- Alert on Personal risk factors
Key points:
i.Globally one in 3 women and one in 5 men over 50 years suffer an Osteoporotic fracture.
ii.The fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of pain and long-term disability.
iii.Only 20% of patients with osteoporotic fractures are actually diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis.
About International Osteoporosis Foundation(IOF):
IOF is the world’s largest non-governmental organisation dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis. Launched in 1998
President– Cyrus Cooper
Chief Executive Officer– Philippe Halbout
Headquarters– Nyon, Switzerland
