Earlier this month, the National Osteoporosis Society launched its “Stop at One” campaign to raise public awareness of fractures caused by osteoporosis . This campaign aims to encourage people over 50 who have suffered a fracture to seek a bone check from their GP to find out if they are at risk of osteoporosis. Our blog post hopes to highlight some of their key messages and help spread the word.

Did you know that around three million people in the UK are affected by osteoporosis. In the UK, one in two women and one in five men over 50 will have a fracture as a result of poor bone health? Around 300,000 fragility fractures occur annually, including 89,000 hip fractures. Indeed, new research conducted by the charity found that a fifth of women do not receive an osteoporosis diagnosis until after three or more bones have been fractured. Furthermore, one in ten of the group who had suffered more than three fractures said they had never discussed the condition or bone health with their GP or hospital staff.

Simply put, Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to become weak and fragile and more likely to break

It is important that everyone is made aware of the risk factors and what can be done now to try and help prevent osteoporosis in your own family.  The National Osteoporosis Society  provide a vast array of helpful information as do NHS choices

The Stop at One website has a “Check Your Risk” online bone health quiz, answers a host of “Common Questions”  and even provides tips for bringing up the topic with your GP.

Please take the time to check some of these resources out and spread the word!

Campaigns Key messages

  • Osteoporosis can cause bones to break easily
  • Find out more about osteoporosis, whether you are at risk and what you can do to protect yourself
  • Osteoporosis can be treated and there are simple things you can do now to protect yourself against its effects
  • Just one bone check is enough to tell if someone is at risk
  • Find out about osteoporosis and if you need a bone check / Find out how to keep your bones healthy and avoid broken bones in the future
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