World Osteoporosis Day: Resources available for your practice
Osteoporosis, reportedly contributes to 37 million fractures globally each year, making it a pressing health concern affecting many population groups. In Australia, osteoporosis affects over 1.4 million people, leading to 193,000 fractures annually. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to reducing these numbers. [1]
With World Osteoporosis Day on 20 October, healthcare providers are encouraged to assess at-risk individuals and promote bone health and prevention efforts to their patients.
Access RACGP's guide for osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and management in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years of age
The Osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and management in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years of age guide is available for download on the RACGP website: racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/osteoporosis/executive-summary
This guide is designed to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to assist GPs in Australia with managing patients over 50 years of age with poor bone health, including patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis. Its purpose is to support clinical judgement making in the individual patient, not to replace it, and help busy GPs achieve better patient outcomes through the:
- prevention of first fracture
- early diagnosis of osteoporosis to allow prompt bone health management
- identification of undiagnosed patients following a first fracture to prevent subsequent fractures
- management of secondary causes of poor bone health.
World Osteoporosis Day resources for your practice and patients
Access campaign tools, posters, brochures and fact sheets to help spread awareness of osteoporosis: worldosteoporosisday.org/index.php/resources
Further support for GPs
For primary care assessment and management of osteoporosis, please visit Brisbane South HealthPathways:
- Osteoporosis - Community HealthPathways Brisbane South
- Medications for Osteoporosis - Community HealthPathways Brisbane South
Article sources
- Healthy Bones Australia. (2024, October 16). World Osteoporosis Day 2024. Healthy Bones Australia. https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au/news/world-osteoporosis-day-2024/