Osteoporosis: a global health crisis we can no longer ignore

Today on World Osteoporosis Day, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is calling for urgent action to address the widespread neglect of osteoporosis prevention and care worldwide. Under the theme “It’s Unacceptable! The Overlooked Crisis in Osteoporosis Prevention and Care”, the IOF aims to raise awareness of a silent epidemic affecting over 500 million people globally.

Each year, more than 37 million fractures due to fragile bones occur in people over 55 — equivalent to 70 fractures every minute. Among individuals over 50 worldwide, one in three women and one in five men will experience a fragility fracture during their remaining lifetimes.

Despite this staggering impact, up to 80% of patients who suffer a fracture remain undiagnosed and untreated for underlying osteoporosis. Millions of patient stories illustrate the human cost of this neglect. Here are just two:

Marine, a grandmother of four, entered early menopause at 41, a known risk factor for osteoporosis. She broke her wrist at 56 while gardening. Both she and her doctor assumed it was “just because of the fall,” failing to recognize the fracture as a red flag for osteoporosis. Years later, Marine developed painful and disabling spinal fractures that could have been prevented with earlier intervention.

Peter’s condition went undiagnosed for years until a DXA scan finally revealed severe osteoporosis. Despite his history of severe back pain, multiple low-trauma fractures (including his ankles, wrist, and spine), and noticeable height loss, osteoporosis was never considered during his many medical visits. His story highlights how misconceptions about osteoporosis in men reduce diagnosis and treatment rates, despite their higher risk of post-fracture disability and death.

“Fragility fractures related to osteoporosis are devastating—not just for patients, but for families, communities, and healthcare systems,” said Dr Philippe Halbout, IOF CEO. “They can cause chronic pain, loss of independence, repeat fractures, and in many seniors, lead to premature death. Yet despite the availability of effective treatments and fracture prevention programs, patients continue to fall through the cracks. This is simply unacceptable.”

Osteoporosis: A Heavy Burden, An Overlooked Crisis

• Osteoporotic fractures in women over 50 are more common than breast cancer.
• Hospitalization due to osteoporosis exceeds that of diabetes, myocardial infarction, and breast cancer in women over 45. In men, osteoporotic fractures can result in more hospital bed days than prostate cancer.
• With global populations ageing, hip fractures are projected to nearly double by 2050, intensifying the healthcare burden.
• Only one-third of vertebral fractures come to clinical attention.
• Barriers to reimbursement and gaps in healthcare policy exacerbate the treatment deficit; in Europe, for example, 71% of women at high fracture risk do not receive therapy.

A Global Call to Action

A recent IOF Position Paper, endorsed by more than 85 national and global organizations, highlights numerous barriers to equitable access to bone health management. At the same time, it identifies proven solutions, focused on detecting individuals at high fracture risk, complementing the implementation of Fracture Liaison Services in hospitals that treat fracture patients. The paper also emphasizes that osteoporosis and fracture prevention should start early and remain a lifelong commitment. Health authorities are encouraged to support public education and awareness campaigns promoting bone-healthy nutrition and physical activity.

IOF President Professor Nicholas Harvey stated: “Concerted action to eliminate barriers to assessment and treatment would help ensure that all individuals at high fracture risk worldwide receive appropriate care, including those in low-income countries.”

“We have the knowledge, the tools, and the treatments. What is lacking is the commitment to act. On World Osteoporosis Day, we call on policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public to make bone health a global priority.”

“Every preventable fracture is a reminder that inaction is not an option.”

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References available at https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/facts-statistics

More information about osteoporosis

• IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check — available in 36 languages
• Build Better Bones website — learn how to manage osteoporosis
• Capture the Fracture® — find a Fracture Liaison Service near you
• Contacts for osteoporosis patient and medical organizations worldwide
• Give For Your Bones — help raise awareness and donate

About World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day, observed annually on October 20th, is dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related fragility fractures. The campaign aims to make osteoporosis a global health priority by engaging stakeholders from all sectors to work together towards better bone health.

View events and download multilanguage resources on the World Osteoporosis Day website. 
www.worldosteoporosisday.org

About the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)

IOF is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF’s membership committees include leading scientific experts, 340 patient organizations and medical societies in more than 150 countries, as well as universities worldwide. The IOF Capture the Fracture® initiative counts over 1,200 Fracture Liaison Services across all regions of the world. Together, this global network works to prioritize bone health and fracture prevention, sharing a vision of a world free from fragility fractures, where healthy mobility is a reality for all. @iofbonehealth
www.osteoporosis.foundation