How World Osteoporosis Day was marked in Yaroslavl (Russia) on October 20, 2025.
The goal of events dedicated to World Osteoporosis Day on October 20, is to draw the attention of the society, government, politicians, and the media to this serious disease.
The organizers of the event in Russia are the Russian public organization of osteoporosis patients "OSTEORUS" (directed Professor Olga Ershova), PhD. and the Russian Association on Osteoporosis (President: Professor Olga Lesnyak, PhD) The motto for 2025 is "Stop the Neglect of Bone Health. It's unacceptable."
Osteoporosis Prevention Day was traditionally held in Yaroslavl on October 20th. Educational posters, children's drawings on healthy lifestyles, and a display table with brochures and leaflets containing information for patients. Posters, generously shared by International Osteoporosis Foundation ( IOF), decorated the walls of the Consultative care department and the Osteoporosis Treatment and Diagnostic Center (Head of Department: Khatia Gorjeladze, MD, a rheumatologist) at the N.V. Solovyov Clinical Emergency Hospital (Chief Physician: N.V. Danilenko).
Participants were offered a free blood test to measure vitamin D levels and an osteodensitometry test to determine bone mineral density. The Center's doctors administered tests to assess leg muscle strength and dynamometry, provided consultations, and gave recommendations to each participant. Khatia Gorjeladze, MD delivered a lecture on the disease prevention and Anna Nazarova, MD conducted a quiz for patients. Representatives of the Women's Union of the Yaroslavl Region, the veterans' organization of the Union of Journalists, specialists from the Yaroslavl branch of the Russian Osteoporosis Association (RAOP), and OSTEORUS volunteers participated in the event. Also participating were Professor Olga Ershova, PhD, RAOP Vice President and founder of two osteoporosis centers in the Yaroslavl Region, and Ksenia Belova, PhD, Chief Rheumatologist of the Yaroslavl Region, Vice President of RAOP.
A similar event was held for participants of the Osteoporosis Prevention Department (Head – Natalia Kirsanova, MD, a rheumatologist) of the Yaroslavl Regional Clinical Hospital (Chief Physician – Mikhail Osipov, MD). Specialists told the invited women about the disease and serious burden for the family in case its members go a hip fracture, of its treatment and prevention options. They also conducted blood tests, osteodensitometry, and consultations with rheumatologists.
Both events were covered by the Yaroslavl media.
World Osteoporosis Day 2025 events in Russia focus on ideas for people of all ages, patients, healthcare professionals, and health authorities:
1. Bone health is invaluable. Healthy bones are the foundation of our well-being, mobility, and independence. Particular attention will be paid to osteoporosis prevention, healthy eating, and adequate physical activity.
2. Osteoporosis is of paramount importance to individuals and societies as it poses a serious health threat with extremely devastating consequences. Therefore, special attention must be paid to osteoporosis screening and subsequent diagnosis, treatment in high-risk groups for osteoporotic fractures, and adherence to prescribed treatment regimens.
3. Make bone health a policy priority. Osteoporosis poses a huge social and economic burden to healthcare systems worldwide. Health authorities must prioritize bone health and invest in diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
“Efforts to inform residents of our region about the dangers of osteoporosis are becoming increasingly important every year, as the number of identified cases of this insidious disease is steadily increasing”, noted Acting Minister of Health of the Yaroslavl region Maria Mozheiko.
On this World Osteoporosis Day, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) calls for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check was posted in the social network.
Following IOF valuable recommendations, the “OSTEORUS” Patient Society and the Russian Association on Osteoporosis call on the citizens of Russia To Stop the Neglect of Bone Health and Take Care of their Health!
Victoria Sotskova
Galina Evstifeeva
