Osteoporosis is a chronic condition in which bones become weak and brittle, leading to fractures and breaks which often carry life-debilitating consequences.
As well as causing considerable mental and psychological distress, they also severely impair people’s abilities to participate in normal life and their ability to work.
In the EU alone, it’s estimated that 22 million women and 5.5 million men suffer from the bone condition, resulting in 3.5 million fractures a year, which costs an estimated €37 billion, or around 3% of overall healthcare costs.
But osteoporosis is often wrongly assumed to be a natural consequence of ageing, rather than a preventable disease.
In this event report, EURACTIV takes a closer look at the bone condition and ways in which it can be prevented.
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Osteoporosis prevention can start in the womb, says health expert
The narrative that osteoporosis is a natural consequence of ageing must be challenged and emphasis must be given to a smarter way of screening to reduce the risk of fracture and the associated costs, the president of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, told EURACTIV in an interview.
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Broken bones, shattered lives: call for action as EU faces rise in osteoporosis
Despite the identification of clear, actionable steps in the prevention of fragility fractures and osteoporosis, EU policy action on the matter remains lacking as the situation is set to worsen. But a new policy toolkit aims to help change this.
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Osteoporosis and fragility fractures: An urgent priority for European policymakers
To find out more information, download the 'Osteoporosis and fragility fractures' policy toolkit at https://www.osteopolicynetwork.org/