Every year on October 20, World Osteoporosis Day is marked, to put the spotlight on osteoporosis. The day marks a year-long campaign, which is dedicated to raising global awareness of bone health, and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Osteoporosis is a serious condition where bones lose its density and strength, and it thus makes them fragile and more likely to break. It is often called the 'silent disease', and most people don't even realize that they have it until a fracture happens. The most common fracture in this condition is in hip, spine, wrist, or shoulder. These fractures can result in long hospital stays, and lead to loss of independence, and reduced quality of life. World Osteoporosis Day 2025 ThemeThis year's theme is 'It's Unacceptable'. This puts the spotlight on the persistent and preventable crisis in osteoporosis care. This condition affects over 500 million people worldwide, and most remain severely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Up to 80% of patients with osteoporotic fractures do not receive any follow-up diagnosis or treatment. This theme furthermore makes an effort for everyone to make noise for the silent disease. The disease is more common among women, as 1 in 3 women, as compared to 1 in 5 men aged 50+ are prone to osteoporotic fracture in their remaining lifetime. These fractures could lead to chronic pain and disability, loss of independence, increased risk of further fractures, and even premature deaths. Thus the theme 'It's Unacceptable', highlights that it is simply unacceptable that patients continue to receive inadequate care, and people are still not aware of the condition. Origin Of World Osteoporosis DayThe World Osteoporosis Day was first launched in 1996 by the United Kingdom's National Osteoporosis Society, with support from the European Commission. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), then took over the global coordination in 1997, turning it into a worldwide awareness campaign that takes place annually on October 20. The World Health Organization (WHO) also co-sponsored the event in 1998 and 1999, helping to raise its international profile. Significance of World Osteoporosis Day 2025Why is it important to observe a day on this, internationally? The reason is, this condition is very common, is among the most frequent health events, yet not much talked about. The IOF notes that in women osteoporotic fractures are more common than breast cancer. Women who are over the age of 45 account for more days in hospital than many other diseases, if they are osteoporotic. This comparison is done with other chronic diseases, including diabetes, myocardial infarction, and even breast cancer, notes IOF. For men, in many countries, osteoporotic fractures account for more hospital bed days than those due to prostrate cancer. IOF notes that osteoporosis is not prioritized in healthcare policy, and that it continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, globally. Only 1 in 3 vertebral fractures come to clinical attention, and most spinal fractures are often diagnosed as simple 'back pain'. This is why there remains a high treatment gap. In Europe, 72% of women who are at a high risk of osteoporotic fractures do not receive treatment. This is why awareness about this condition becomes more so important, especially when framing public policies, education campaigns, and preventative care, especially making people understand the importance of calcium and vitamin D.
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