New research released October 20th, World Osteoporosis Day, shows that only 3% of all adults surveyed in the UK are aware of the risk of men suffering a fracture due to osteoporosis; and of the 50+ men surveyed, again only 3% correctly estimated the risk.1

Almost a quarter of the 2,424 people surveyed perceived the risk to be 1 in 1,000 where in reality the risk is 1 in 5.2 Furthermore, the results show that doctors are not making men aware of the condition, which can result in late diagnosis.3

Osteoporosis can lead to painful fractures, disability and early death, but is often neglected by doctors during routine consultations.1,3 Among the at-risk 50+ men surveyed, 73% reported that their doctor had never asked them about their bone health, discussed the risk factors or offered them a bone density scan.1

Millions of people with osteoporosis are living every day in pain and in fear; their lives are shrinking along with their bodies, and they are struggling to hold on to the moments and people they love.4 These are just some of the dramatic findings from the recently commissioned NOS 'Life with Osteoporosis' landmark research project.

Furthermore, in the UK, while only one-third of all hip fractures occur in men, men are in fact twice as likely to die within the first 6 months following injury to their hip when compared with women. 2, 3

Compared with responses from other countries included in the survey, the UK demonstrated the lowest level of awareness of fracture risk in men at only 3%, followed by Belgium (6%), Jordan (6%), USA (7%), Spain (8%), UAE (8%), India (9%), Brazil (11%), Australia (12%), South Africa (14%), Mexico (18%), and China (20%).1