Did you know there are 6.2 million (67 per cent) Australians aged 50+ years living with poor bone health – a marked 34 per cent increase from a 2012 report, and projected to increase to 7.7 million living with osteopenia or osteoporosis by 2033.
In 2023, a fracture was sustained every 2.7 minutes in Australia, resulting in more than 193,000 fractures.
Healthy Bones Australia has teamed up with an Olympian, doctors, politicians, and patients to launch key findings from their national burden of disease report.
The new report – Osteoporosis and fractures in Australia. A burden of disease analysis 2023 – 2033
According to Healthy Bones Australia Chair, Professor Peter Ebeling, AO, 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.
“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.
“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.
“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 (pictured below), 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 the current 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.
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 (pictured below), 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.”
