On World Osteoporosis Day, Osteoporosis New Zealand issued a press release urging Kiwis of all ages to prioritise their bone health
18 October, – Auckland, New Zealand – Embargoed until 8:00 am NZT
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) reports that “with the ageing of the global population” the annual number of osteoporosis-related hip fractures is projected to double between now and 2050. On World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), on 20 October, Osteoporosis New Zealand (ONZ) will sound the alarm on the growing ‘silent’ burden of osteoporosis and urge New Zealanders to protect their precious bone health.
Healthy bones are at the core of our wellbeing, mobility and independence. People of all ages should protect their bone health by taking early action for osteoporosis prevention through bone-healthy nutrition, regular weight bearing physical activity, an avoidance of negative lifestyle factors like smoking.
Osteoporosis matters as it is a serious health threat with potentially devastating consequences. It is a disease of bone that progresses silently and can cause bones to become so brittle and break easily, even after a minor fall or bump. No matter what a person’s age, a low impact fall from standing height should not result in a broken bone. A ‘fragility fracture’ can result from low to no trauma. It is a sign of underlying bone weakness and the need for osteoporosis management.
Although osteoporosis can be diagnosed early, most people with osteoporosis are not aware of the underlying condition until a fracture occurs. Even after sustaining a fragility fracture, globally some 80% of patients with osteoporosis are not identified and treated.
ONZ wants everyone to ‘Say no to fragile bones’. “We ask Kiwis of all ages to take personal action to prevent osteoporosis. We call on health care providers to prioritise public education and awareness of bone health and fragility fracture prevention in our healthcare system.”
Without increased emphasis on prevention and treatment, and with our ageing population, the human and economic impact of osteoporosis will keep rising. The following staggering figures underscore the heavy toll osteoporosis places on individuals, families, health care system and New Zealand 1:
Every year in New Zealand more than 22,000 fragility fractures occur among people aged 50 years and older.
- Preventing fragility fractures delivers wide-ranging economic, health-system, societal and personal healthcare benefit.
- Neglect is a key reason for why osteoporosis, despite its serious repercussions, goes undiagnosed and untreated.
- Falls and fractures suffered by older people currently cost the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) NZ$360 million per year. Without effective intervention this cost will double to more that NZ$720 million by 2035.
- ACC estimate that, by doing nothing to prevent these injuries, the cost of falls and fractures would reach $400 million by 2025.
- The number of fragility fractures is predicted to rise – 75% in the next 10 years.
- Best practice prevention reduces fractures by 30 to 40% and falls by up to 30% in patients suitable for intervention potentially saving tens of thousands of hospital bed days.
- People who are over 50 years of age admitted to hospital with a hip fracture, fragility fracture at other skeletal sites and other injurious falls not involving a fracture required over 300,000 hospital bed days in 2022. To put these numbers into perspective, imagine a hypothetical “Falls and Fragility Fractures Hospital” where all such patients in New Zealand are treated. This hospital would require 843 beds, ranking as the third largest hospital in the nation.
- The high bed occupancy related to fragility fractures impedes Health NZ’s ability to meet Kiwis’ other pressing healthcare needs such as care for cancer and kidney disease.
- An analysis commissioned by ACC in early 2024 sought to estimate the number of hospital bed days that could be saved over a five-year period through universal access to world-class Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) across New Zealand.
- FLS in New Zealand ensure that patients who present with a fragility fracture receive the best clinical practice to prevent subsequent fractures through standardised management of osteoporosis and falls prevention.
- Based on conservative assumptions, the analysis suggested that FLS would save 57,764 bed days over five years. The subsequent conservative estimated savings to the New Zealand health care system is forecasted to be NZ $86.6 million.
Paul Mitchell, Adjunct Professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia and Strategic Advisor to the ONZ Board and Management states:
“Maintaining strong bone health and preventing osteoporosis are crucial for everyone to preserve mobility and independence as they age. It’s a disease that can be prevented, diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, despite its severe and costly impact, osteoporosis continues to be vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide. On World Osteoporosis Day, we aim to raise awareness about osteoporosis and urge individuals of all ages, along with their healthcare providers, to prioritize bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis."
Through good nutrition and exercise, younger people can maintain strong bones and reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis in the future. For adults, a bone-healthy lifestyle, timely screening, and access to effective treatments for those at high risk are paramount. For anyone who has experienced a fragility fracture, osteoporosis treatment is an essential consideration to reduce the very high risk of further fractures. Access to post-fracture care units such as the 20 Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) across the country can make an enormous difference by ensuring timely care and follow-up to protect against a potential cycle of recurring fractures 2. We are recognised on a global scale as a world leader for our work here in New Zealand and the positive impact the FLS services are providing across the country.
ACC supports the funding of FLS as part of the Live Stronger for Longer programme.
“The goal of an FLS is to prevent future fractures by ensuring patients receive appropriate, timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care,” says James Whitaker, ACC Injury Prevention Programme Lead.
Over the past decade, there has been a progressive expansion of FLS across New Zealand. By mid-2024, each Health NZ region will have an FLS, thanks to the strategic partnership between ONZ and ACC.
Whitaker says public education around secondary fracture prevention is vital in reducing the number of fragility fractures across Aotearoa.
“If you think you might benefit from an FLS, speak with your healthcare provider about the options available to you in your district,” says Whitaker.
“Also, if you are surprised that you have a fracture after a seemingly minor incident it would be worth asking to have your bone density assessed. Taking these steps could help you to avoid other issues in the future.”
ACC’s Live Stronger for Longer programme helps prevent fall-related injuries. The programme includes community strength and balance classes across Aotearoa, and the Nymbl app which has been downloaded by more than 46,000 older New Zealanders.
These initiatives are designed to help those at risk of falling maintain their independence and keep enjoying the things they love.
"Now is the time to continue our efforts to take decisive action to counteract the rising burden of osteoporosis-related fractures in New Zealand,” says Peter Fergusson, Board Chair of ONZ. Being highly regarded by our peers across the globe is something we are extremely proud of and ONZ will continue our efforts to provide world class, gold standard FLS services to all Kiwis.
John Mulka, ONZ Executive Director says “By prioritising bone health through preventive measures and early intervention, we can significantly reduce the burden of new fractures, and ultimately improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, and alleviate the strain on our health care system."
References:
1. https://www.fragilityfracture.co.nz
2. https://www.capturethefracture.org/index.php/what-is-a-pfc
About World Osteoporosis Day
World Osteoporosis Day, observed annually on 20 October, is dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. The campaign aims to make osteoporosis a global health priority by engaging stakeholders from all sectors to work together towards better bone health. This year ONZ will be joining with its counterparts globally to recognise the day, and start of the year-long New Zealand campaign, ‘Say no to fragile bones’.
View events and download multilanguage resources, including the Global Burden of Osteoporosis infographic on the World Osteoporosis Day website.
More information about Osteoporosis in New Zealand and how to protect your bones is available here:
About ONZ
Osteoporosis New Zealand is the only national organisation in the country specifically committed to improving the lives of people who are at high risk of developing or living with osteoporosis. We are driven to ensure that osteoporosis care in New Zealand is world leading. We engage with individuals and families, health professionals, policy makers and the private sector through programmes of awareness, advocacy and education to improve bone health and prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis.
