Healthy bones digital media kit
EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEST, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEST, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024
50+ y/o projected to sustain a fracture every 30 seconds
by 2033: new report
Healthy Bones Australia calling for enhanced
Government commitment to bone health
Healthy Bones Australia is teaming with an Olympian, doctors, politicians, and patients today (Thursday, October 10), to launch key findings from their national burden of disease report, together with the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management, at Parliament House, Canberra. The new report – Osteoporosis and fractures in Australia. A burden of disease analysis 2023 – 2033 – released in advance of World Osteoporosis Day (October 20, 2024), reveals:
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6.2 million (67 per cent) Australians aged 50+ years are living with poor bone health – a marked 34 per cent increase from 2012 report, and projected to increase to 7.7 million living with osteopenia or osteoporosis by 2033;1
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In 2023, a fracture was sustained every 2.7 minutes in Australia, resulting in more than 193,000 fractures.1
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The total cost of osteopenia and osteoporosis equated to $4.8 billion in 2023 and is estimated to climb over the coming decade to $8.3 billion in 2033.1
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Fractures represent the highest cost associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia.1
According to Healthy Bones Australia Chair, Professor Peter Ebeling, AO, Melbourne, the new burden of disease report offers concerning future projections, while reinforcing the urgent need for action from policy makers, healthcare professionals, and the community alike.
“Currently, more than two-in-three Australians over 50 years of age are living with poor bone health; 77 per cent of whom have osteopenia; and 23 per cent osteoporosis – figures projected to increase by 23 per cent over the next 10 years.1
“Moreover, a staggering 2.1 million fractures due to osteoporosis are estimated to occur over the next decade – representing one fracture every 30 seconds by 2033,” said Prof Ebeling.1
“If our current disease prevention, management, and treatment strategies remain on the same trajectory over the next decade, the total cost of osteopenia and osteoporosis will reach an estimated AUD 67.9 billion, including ambulance, hospital, rehabilitation, aged care, community care, and community services.1
“While extremely concerning, this situation can be prevented if we take action now, by investing in our population’s bone health,” Prof Ebeling said.
Olympian and World Champion athlete and Healthy Bones Australia ‘Know Your Bones’ Ambassador, Sally Pearson OAM, Gold Coast, said the new report highlights the need for community understanding of their fracture risk.
“As Ambassador for the organisation’s flagship prevention and awareness program, ‘Know Your Bones’, I’m delighted to advise more than 115,000 Australians have completed the Know Your Bones risk assessment to date. Based on today’s report, we hope to see these numbers grow.
“I encourage every Australian to take an easy first step and complete this online self-assessment,” said Ms Pearson.
Healthy Bones Australia CEO, Mr Greg Lyubomirsky, Sydney, said the new report demonstrates the under-prioritisation of bone health in Australia.
“To stop unwanted fractures, we must break down the walls of apathy, and ensure doctors prioritise their patients bone health.
“A cumulative effort will result in substantially less broken bones, enabling Australians to lead longer, healthier, and better quality lives,” Mr Lyubomirsky said.
Concerningly, in 2023, Australians sustained an estimated 193,482 osteopenic, and osteoporotic fractures, with hip fractures proving the most expensive. By 2033, this number is anticipated to increase by 34 per cent, resulting in 237,632 fractures per year.1
“We are calling upon the Federal Government today to enhance its commitment to bone health.
“We require further financial support to effectively reach at-risk populations nation-wide, without which, the alarming predictions in this report could prove a harsh reality for many,” said Mr Lyubomirsky.
“Working together, we can reduce the significant burden of osteoporosis and fractures on the healthcare system, and the community at large.
“We understand directly from consumers, that no one wants to fracture. Fractures are costly, reduce quality of life, and in severe cases can be fatal” Mr Lyubomirsky said.
Healthy Bones Australia Medical Director, and Chair of the organisation’s Scientific Advisory Committee, Professor Peter Wong, Sydney said “the report begs the question as to why so many fractures are still occurring in Australia each year, and why medical professionals are failing to proactively investigate patients.
“We need earlier investigation of bone health through bone mineral density (BMD) testing, and greater emphasis on medical and lifestyle interventions, to reduce the impact of preventable fractures.
“Healthy Bones Australia is urging GPs to identify at-risk patients, and to intervene as early as possible, to manage osteoporosis and prevent fractures,” said Prof Wong.
In 2024 The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in partnership with Healthy Bones Australia, released the Guidelines for the Management of Osteoporosis, to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to support Australian GPs with managing patients aged 50+ living with poor bone health. The Guidelines aim to support clinical judgment-making for individual patients, not to replace it, and to help busy GPs achieve better patient outcomes.
Burden of disease report co-author, and Head of School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Professor Watts, Melbourne, said the burden of osteoporosis is substantial, and will continue to increase with our ageing population.
“Most of the burden of disease is attributed to the cost of treating fractures.
“If we continue on our current trajectory, the burden will continue to grow and add pressure on the healthcare system, further increasing the cost of health care in Australia,” Prof Watts said.
“There is an opportunity to prioritise the prevention of osteoporosis via the promotion of healthy diet and exercise as people age; regular bone health checks performed by GPs; early diagnosis of osteopenia through bone density testing; and initiation, and support for treatment of people at risk of osteoporosis or fracture.”
Carole, 70, Central Coast, NSW, said in my personal experience and listening to the stories of others, there is a common theme of misdiagnosis and a lack of knowledge of the impact and treatment of this disease. It has to change.
“We need immediate action, and further support for Australians living with osteoporosis and low bone density.
“We must prevent these alarming projections from becoming a reality,” said Carole.
“If you are at risk of osteoporosis, prioritise your bone health. Speak to your doctor without delay.”
For more information, and to access a range of educational resources tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and translated into 8 languages, contact Healthy Bones Australia on 02 9518 8140 or healthybonesaustralia.org.au/. Our free helpline is 1800 242 141.
About Healthy Bones Australia
Healthy Bones Australia (HBA) is the peak body representing Australians living with osteoporosis. The organisation promotes prevention to the wider community and advocates for early diagnosis and improved management of osteoporosis to reduce unwanted fractures. HBA works with consumers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and stakeholder organisations to ensure bone health is a higher priority. Poor bone health results in osteoporosis and osteopenia, affecting over 6 million Australians and leading to over 193,000 fractures each year. Fractures impact individuals, their families/carers, the workforce and the Health Care system, costing $4.9 billion per annum.
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AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
EXPERTS
Professor Peter R Ebeling,
AO
Head of Department of Medicine, Monash University; Chair, Healthy Bones Australia; & Board member, International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), MELBOURNE
(VISITING CANBERRA)
Professor Peter Wong
Head of Rheumatology, Western Sydney Local Health District; Clinical Professor, Sydney Medical School; Medical Director & Chair, Healthy Bones Australia Medical & Scientific Advisory Committee, SYDNEY (VISITING CANBERRA)
Mr Greg Lyubomirsky
CEO, Healthy Bones Australia, SYDNEY (VISITING CANBERRA)
Professor Mark Cooper
Board Member, Healthy Bones Australia; President, Australian & New Zealand Bone & Mineral Society (ANZBMS); Professor of Medicine & Head of Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, SYDNEY
Professor Jennifer Watts
Burden of disease report co-author, and Head of School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, MELBOURNE (VISITING CANBERRA)
HEALTHY BONES AUSTRALIA AMBASSADOR
Sally Pearson, OAM
Healthy Bones Ambassador, 37, GOLD COAST (VISITING CANBERRA)
AUSTRALIANS LIVING WITH OSTEOPOROSIS
Carole, 70
Retired business consultant who has sustained multiple bone fractures & loss of height, Glenning Valley, CENTRAL COAST, NSW (VISITING CANBERRA)
Susanne, OAM, 70
Writer & children’s book author diagnosed with osteoporosis after sustaining multiple rib fractures, SYDNEY
Kristy, 33
Assistant brand manager, health coach, & women’s health advocate diagnosed with osteopenia in her late 20’s, SYDNEY
Marilyn, 69
Graphic designer & classic car enthusiast diagnosed with osteoporosis after falling & fracturing her arm, SYDNEY
Kimberely, 44
Wife & mother-to-two who was diagnosed with pregnancy-related osteoporosis following the birth of her second child, BRISBANE
BROADCAST VISION
MEDIA CONTACTS + INTERVIEWS
Kirsten Bruce & Sophie Harrison, VIVA! Communications
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E kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au | sophieh@vivacommunications.com.au
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Reference
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Bohingamu Mudiyanselage S , Watts JJ, Gebremariam K, Abimanyi-Ochom J. Osteoporosis and fractures in Australia. A burden of disease analysis, 2023 to 2033.: Healthy Bones Australia; 2024.