New IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check Alerts Patients at Risk of Broken Bones

Taiwan is a rapidly ageing society with 30% of the population expected to be aged 65 and over by 2040. Currently, it is estimated that 500,000 people have osteoporosis, placing them at high risk of potentially painful and disabling fractures. Professor Gau Tyan Lin, President of the Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association, urges all older adults to be aware of their risk:

"Osteoporosis affects both sexes, yet women are more likely to be affected than men. I therefore especially urge all women aged 60 and older to be aware of whether they have risk factors for osteoporosis. Should risk factors be identified, it is important to ask a doctor for a bone health assessment. This is the first vital step to preventing fragility fractures."

Key osteoporosis risk factors include older age (seniors are at higher risk), a broken bone after age 50 (a red alert for osteoporosis!), being underweight, height loss, a parental history of hip fracture or osteoporosis, having certain disorders or taking certain medications linked to bone loss, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, IOF President, warns:

"Osteoporosis sneaks up, silently - but make no mistake, it is dangerous. Broken bones caused by osteoporosis can result in long-term disability, diminished quality of life and lost independence. Timely testing and treatment for anyone at high-risk is therefore essential. We must all remember that healthy bones keep us standing straight and strong, allowing us to enjoy active ageing and continued independence."

The IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check is available here: http://riskcheck.iofbonehealth.org/

For further information about osteoporosis visit the Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association website http://www.toa1997.org.tw/

Media Contacts:
TOA: Dr Ding-Cheng Chan [email protected]
IOF: L. Misteli [email protected]
Tel. +41 22 994 0100

About World Osteoporosis Day (WOD):

Marked on October 20 annually, WOD is an occasion that unites global action on osteoporosis and fracture prevention. www.worldosteoporosisday.org

About IOF:
The International Osteoporosis Foundation is the world's largest non- governmental organization dedicated to bone health and osteoporosis prevention. www.iofbonehealth.org