October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day and as the website worldosteoporosisday.org states, the day is “dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.” (1)
Osteoporosis occurs when bones become weak and fragile, leading them to break easier. When someone has osteoporosis, minor falls or bumps can cause a break or fracture. Osteoporosis related breaks or fractures are a serious public health issue, as they can be the cause of significant pain and long-term disability, and could even be life-threatening. (2)
Based on online resources, American Indians and Alaska Natives seem to have similar rates of osteoporosis and fractures compared to other ethnic and racial groups. However, for all groups women suffer from osteoporosis related fractures significantly more than men, one in three women versus one in five men. (2) Furthermore, as one study stated, “Across ethnic and racial groups, more women experience fractures than the combined number of women who experience breast cancer, myocardial infarction, and coronary death in 1 year. Prevention efforts should target all women, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, especially if they have multiple risk factors.” (3)
For more resources on osteoporosis, including the prevention steps infographic above, visit worldosteoporosisday.org.
Sources
- International Osteoporosis Foundation. (2017, September 11). About World Osteoporosis Day. Retrieved October 18, 2017, from http://worldosteoporosisday.org/about-world-osteoporosis-day
- International Osteoporosis Foundation. (2017, August 24). About Osteoporosis. Retrieved October 18, 2017, from http://worldosteoporosisday.org/about-osteoporosis
- Cauley, J. A. (2011). Defining Ethnic and Racial Differences in Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, 469(7), 1891-1899. doi:10.1007/s11999-011-1863-5
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