World Osteoporosis Day 2024: Theme, Significance, History & Celebration

October 20 of every year is celebrated as World Osteoporosis Day by people all over the globe. The day aims to raise awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disease.

A year-long campaign is also launched every year on this day that works to achieve the goal of World Osteoporosis Day.

World Osteoporosis Day Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for World Osteoporosis Day for the next 4 years.

World Osteoporosis Day Overview

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that causes them to become weak and fragile. In this disease, the bones become so weak that they fracture easily even during a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement. Also, the fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of pain and long-term disability.

One in every five men and one in every three women of age 50 years and above are prone to suffer osteoporosis fracture. Treatment may involve certain medication but osteoporosis can be treated through healthy diet, exercising and changing lifestyle to a better one. Below here are given 5 steps to healthy bones and a fracture-free future.

5 Steps to Healthy Bones And A Fracture-Free Future

Here are five simple steps to keep your bones healthy and have a fracture-free future:

1. Regular exercise to keep your bones and muscles moving
2. diet intake with rich nutrients that keeps bone healthy
3. Avoid negative lifestyle habits- drinking, smoking, etc
4. Make sure that you do not have risk factors
5. If needed, get yourself tested and treated

Significance of World Osteoporosis Day

Millions of people in the world suffer from fractures due to osteoporosis. It not just attack one individual but results in enormous socioeconomic costs to society and healthcare systems. Despite all efforts and advanced medical facilities to reduce fractures, only a fraction of people (not more than 20% of all osteoporosis patients) receive proper treatment for osteoporosis.

The time to call out for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis is now and with this aim, the World Osteoporosis Day 204 will be celebrated along with campaign launched for the fight against it.

World Osteoporosis Day History

The World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) was launched by the United Kingdom’s National Osteoporosis Society on October 20 1996. the day was supported by the European Commission and every year since 1997 it is celebrated by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. In addition to IOF, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also acted as a co-sponsor of World Osteoporosis Day celebration. On the occasion of WOD,  a year-long campaign to raise awareness of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease is also launched every year. These campaigns have featured a specific theme since 1999.

World Osteoporosis Day Celebration

World Osteoporosis Day is a prime time and perfect opportunity to highlight osteoporosis and the problems caused by this disease. There are different ways in which this day is celebrated but the main center of attraction is the campaign launched on this day. With the slogan of ‘Step up for bone health’, IOF will highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle as the foundation for strong bones.

Everyone, patient or not, will be urged through means of posters and related resources, to ensure regular weight-bearing & muscle-strengthening exercise, a nutritious bone-healthy diet and adequate vitamin and no smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol intake.

Other than the campaign, various community events and local campaigns with activities in over 90 countries will also be organized by national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world. If your are also organizing an event, scientific meeting, launching a new publication, social media campaign, etc you can share information about your event on the World Osteoporosis Day Global Map. This way you can provide an international platform to your event to gain global visibility.

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