IOF To Launch Risk Factor Campaign As Part Of World Osteoporosis Day 2007

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 21 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) will launch its most ambitious campaign to date on World Osteoporosis Day 2007, celebrated worldwide on October 20.

Joan Rivers, the Jamaica Bobsled team, and Dame Ellen MacArthur are amongst the celebrities who will urge individuals to discover if they are at risk of osteoporosis and Beat the Break.

"Osteoporosis is one of the most serious chronic, non-communicable diseases, affecting one out of three women worldwide (more than breast cancer), and one out of five men (more than prostate cancer)," noted IOF Chief Executive Office Daniel Navid. "Although osteoporosis can be easily diagnosed and treated, studies have shown that it remains seriously underdiagnosed and undertreated."

Behaviours such as smoking, lack of exercise, drinking more than two standard units of alcohol a day, being underweight and not having enough calcium or vitamin D can result in increased risk of osteoporosis and broken bones. As part of the Beat the Break campaign, individuals are urged to do the IOF One-Minute Risk Test

The Beat the Break: Know and Reduce your Osteoporosis Risk campaign will include:

• A major new report which highlights both modifiable and fixed risk factors, written by one of the world's leading experts in osteoporosis
• Imaginative new posters and information leaflets for the general public
• Three new Public Service Announcements featuring American comedienne Joan Rivers, the Jamaica Bobsled team and former surfing champion Andrea Lopez, from Brazil
• Fact sheets summarizing the latest science on osteoporosis risk factors
• Creative national and regional campaigns involving the majority of the 182 IOF member societies in some 88 locations.

Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. The result: pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and in many cases, death. One out of three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one out of five men1, 2, 3. Unfortunately, screening for people at risk is far from being a standard practice. Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 182 member societies in 88 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.

References:

1. Melton U, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C et al. How many women have osteoporosis? Journal of Bone Mineral Research, 1992; 7:1005-10

2. Kanis JA et al. Long-term risk of osteoporotic fracture in Malmo. Osteoporosis International, 2000; 11:669-674

3. Melton LJ, et al. Bone density and fracture risk in men. JBMR. 1998; 13:No 12:1915

For more information on osteoporosis and IOF please visit: http://www.iofbonehealth.org