Launch of report at Parliament House

Dual World and Olympic champion hurdler, Sally Pearson, OAM, teamed with doctors, patients, and federal politicians to launch the ‘Know Your Bones Community Risk Report’ Third Edition 2023. The event hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Aged Care by Co-Chairs Dr Mike Freelander MP and Rebekah Sharkie MP at Parliament House Canberra, 19 October, presented results from the new report which summarises data from more than 104,000 Australians who have completed the Know Your Bones online self-assessment tool.

Key ‘Know Your Bones Community Risk Report’ findings :

• More than one in two (52 per cent) of the respondents who reported a broken bone were aged between 50-69 years¹;
• 87 per cent of respondents who had broken a bone were not on osteoporosis medication;¹
• Of the respondents aged 70+ who had fractured a bone, nearly 80 per cent were not on osteoporosis medication¹;
• More than half (52 per cent) who reported a bone fracture or clinical risk factor, had not undergone a BMD test¹; and
• Almost 40 per cent of those with a reported clinical risk factor, and the vast majority (99 per cent) cited having a lifestyle risk factor.¹

Greg Lyubomirsky CEO Healthy Bones Australia thanked all guests for attending and outlined the report findings and the event included a video message of support for Healthy Ageing Advocate Ita Buttrose. Presentations included Olympic and World Champion Sally Pearson, who experienced a serious fracture during her professional hurdling career and The Hon Emma McBride MP Assistant Minister for Rusal and Regional Health. Patient Advocates Carole David and Rosemary Crane also attended to support the prevention message and release of the report findings.     

Sally Pearson said “based on my personal experience with fractures I know how important it is to look after your bones.”

Sally explained she was shocked by the difficult recovery process she experienced after her fractured wrist during a race in Rome (in 2015).

“the rehabilitation process was more traumatic than the actual fracture. Thankfully, because my bones were generally quite strong I was able to mount a successful recovery from my injury and to win my second World Championship in 2017. This is not the case for many Australians living with osteoporosis. We know too many people are suffering unnecessarily from broken bones that could be prevented.”

Prof Peter Ebeling, Chair Healthy Bones Australia says “the report is showing gaps in care. I encourage policymakers, health professionals and the community to remain focused on preventing fractures and building healthier bones”

Patient advocate Carole David is living with osteoporosis and stressed “my life changed dramatically from the fractures I’ve sustained. That’s why its essential bone health becomes a higher priority with doctors and the community so people are diagnosed early and avoid painful fractures.”